We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Rethinking Schizophrenia Why Modern Treatments May Be Failing – And What We Can Do To Fix Them

Rethinking Schizophrenia Why Modern Treatments May Be Failing – And What We Can Do To Fix Them

2025/2/6
logo of podcast Finding Genius Podcast

Finding Genius Podcast
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
R
Richard Jacobs
R
Robert Whitaker
Topics
Robert Whitaker: 我在研究精神病学研究中虐待患者的系列报道时,发现我们对精神分裂症的生物学理解存在问题。关于精神分裂症患者的长期预后,现代的治疗方法并没有改善,反而比20世纪初更糟。世界卫生组织的研究表明,发展中国家精神分裂症患者的预后比发达国家好。尽管我们认为精神分裂症是由于多巴胺过多引起的,但长期不使用这些药物的国家的预后却更好,这表明我们的理论存在问题。我认为关于精神分裂症和药物的说法与科学文献不符,我们需要重新审视。抗精神病药物最初被称为神经抑制剂,虽然短期内能使人平静,但长期使用会导致复发。70年代的NIMH研究表明,未用药的精神分裂症患者在一年、两年和三年后都有更好的结果。马丁·哈罗和托马斯·乔格的研究表明,停药者的康复率是服药者的八倍。长期停用精神科药物的精神分裂症患者,整体预后明显更好,但这一结果并未向公众传达,因为它与精神病学和制药行业的说法相悖。 Robert Whitaker: 开放式对话疗法是一种选择性使用抗精神病药物的方案,在芬兰北部实施。开放式对话疗法对首次精神病发作的患者不使用抗精神病药物,而是采用强化心理治疗和社区支持,许多人逐渐好转。开放式对话疗法研究20年发现,67%的首发患者从不需要服用抗精神病药物。对于没有好转的35%的人,会询问他们是否愿意服用低剂量的抗精神病药物,并在六个月后评估是否可以停药。开放式对话疗法是一种最佳使用模式,旨在确定药物对哪些人有效,以及使用多长时间。开放式对话疗法表明,在首次发作后,通过适当的支持,人们可以逐渐好转,而不是发展成慢性长期病程。研究表明,长期使用这些药物会对身体造成损害,包括更容易患精神病。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores the paradox of worsening schizophrenia outcomes in developed countries compared to developing nations. It questions the effectiveness of modern treatments and examines the discrepancy between the common narrative and scientific evidence.
  • Long-term schizophrenia outcomes are worsening in developed countries.
  • Developing countries report better outcomes for schizophrenia patients.
  • The narrative of progress in schizophrenia treatment may be inaccurate.

Shownotes Transcript

Why do individuals struggling with schizophrenia in the United States fare worse than patients in the world's poorest countries? Are modern treatments for the severely mentally ill effective? Joining us to dive into this salient topic is Robert Whitaker, a journalist and the author of four books: Mad in America), The Mapmaker's Wife), On the Laps of Gods), and Anatomy of an Epidemic). 

Robert has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. He is also the publisher of Madinamerica.com) and a Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

In this conversation, we cover: 

Why long-term outcomes for schizophrenia patients have been worsening over time.  Potential reasons why developing countries have more success treating mental disorders.  Whether or not scientific literature on mental illness lines up with the narrative we’ve been told. What happens when dopamine receptors are overexpressed. 

You can follow along with Robert and his important work here)!

Upgrade Your Wallet Game with Ekster! 

Get the sleek, smart wallet you deserve—and save while you’re at it! Use coupon code FINDINGGENIUS at checkout or shop now with this exclusive link: ekster.com?sca_ref=4822922.DtoeXHFUmQ5)  Smarter, slimmer, better. Don’t miss out!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C)