[Norwegian]

Debate, article: How long will the well-intentioned guardian state continue legitimizing torture in psychiatry?

Sorry for poor quality of this Google translation:

Norway should ensure that police and relevant health personnel receive training in the Convention Against Torture. UN Committee against Torture in 2012 CAT/C/NOR/CO/6-7


Walter Keim, retired Assistant Professor, tel.
Almbergskleiva 64
NO-6657 Rindal, 12. February 2017


Open letter to the Directorate of Health, Knowledge Centre, Institute of Public Health, Medicines Agency, Patient Safety Program, NORMENT, Experience Expertise

Cc: Humania FOUNDATION: For a human mental health, Jaakko Seikkula, Jan Ivar Røssberg, Npf Quality Committee, Medicine Free Offer, Npf, Psychological Association


Knowledge- and research-based liquidation of current harmful psychiatric medication in favour of evidence-based practice to promote recovery


Referring to the conference at the House of Literature 8th February at 17-21. What is the knowledge base for treatment with or without the use of psychotropic drugs? (1) of Humania FOUNDATION, where Fellesaksjonen, Ivar Røssberg, Robert Whitaker and Jaakko Seikkula gave contributions.

Beforehand Røssberg got documentation of the low evidence of Paulsrud committee and if it overrides the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture's prohibition ( "ban") of all forced medication.

The award-winning science journalist Robert Whitaker cited researchers who have examined the long-term effects of psychiatric drugs. This group will in many cases experience more frequent readmissions and poorer functioning compared to patients without long-term medication (4). This recognition is now mainstream among leading scientists (1).

Regarding symptoms are long-term studies that psychotropic drugs that withdrawal leads first to a little increase but then falls symptoms drastically. In the long run leads psychotropic drugs frequently to psychotic symptoms (2).

In studies of short-term effects often there is not a pure placebo group without medicine, but the “placebo group” consists of patients haven taken psychotropic drugs e. g. a year and then taken off the drug, i.e. withdrawal symptoms are included(Cochrane.org 2011) (2). Therefore, these studies are not real. Thus PAULSRUD committee alleged low positive treatment effects are even lower possibly erased.

While before 2011 can excuse psychiatry being a victim of its at dwelling myths, it must now be assumed that continuing as before is indefensible. Røssberg is an example where delusions that one "knows" about the good effect seems not correctable through information.

Psychiatry's tale that everything was so much better after the introduction of psychotropic drugs are stripped as myth. Studies in the United States, Norway and other countries shows that hospital discharge was higher before the introduction of psychotropic drugs. Which is not surprising, as it is in line with both the alleged short-term effect is undocumented and long-term injuries for many patients documented. Current practice creates more chronically ill than before the introduction of psychotropic drugs (1).

This shows that psychiatric practice today damages more than it helps. To this evidence had psychiatrist Ivar Røssberg only polemic that "Whitaker is the Donald Trump of Antipsychiatry." No separate studies documenting evidence of antipsychotic medications were shown. Can contempt of scientific knowledge remonstrates clearer? Almost all organisations of the common organisation of drug-free offerings were difamet as antipsychiatric.

Røssberg object to drug-free treatment (only about 3% of the beds in Health North) to ignore that there are studies on off medications treatment showing evidence. Treatment without demonstrable effect, must according to him happen outside the public health system, but evidence that antipsychotic forced medication injuries ignore Røssberg (1).

Røssberg claiming "antipsykotics are effective," but did not define what he means is effective: symptom relief and / or recovery? He said neither answred questions about Pauslrud conclusion that 5 to 10 patients must be treated to obtain a patient better in a short time frame. Regarding to project TIPS, so he came to that approximately 1 of 3 patients achieved improvement to return to family / job. But TIP has no radominisert double-blind design. Patient groups in 2 different health districts are compared. The possible sources of error are not even discussed.(6)

Patients perspective came especially advocated when Haakon Rian Ueland for Fellesaksjonen for drug-free treatment process began by reading aloud from the blog of Eline, who has a psychosis disorder, is clearly on his own experience of being medicated against their will. Orders of the authorities of off medications treatment was opposed for a long time of psychiatry.

Obviously do not drug-free offer documentation of positive evidence to be better than today's psychiatry when it was documented that the current over medication harm more than it helps. Fellesaksjonen emphasises rightly that the patient's motivation and desire is important because it gives the placebo effect. The documented strong rejection of forced medication however activates nocebo, that negative effect. When positive short-term effect is not documented and occasion. long-term injuries are forced medication ready illegally.

"National technical guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of individuals with psychotic disorders" advice is wrong:

Because drugs reduce the risk of relapse, they are also used prevention in long-term treatment (...)

Against this background, antipsychotic drug treatment recommended as first-line treatment both in acute psychosis conditions and the prevention of recurrence.

The assumption of the prevention of "recidivism" (really too withdrawal) it is even more long-term treatment (creates chronic conditions) is incorrect.

It is tempting to point out that the research confirms patients' scepticism and resistance to medication. However, the well-intentioned guardian state power to psychiatrists with a reality shortcoming regarding the harmful effects and lack of usefulness to forced drugging patients possibly being chronically ill. The argument is that the patients do not know their own best occasion. serious anger disorder.

It is now also clear why the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with Disabilities urges abolishing compulsory treatment: "Dignity must prevail" - An appeal two do away with non-consensual psychiatric treatment World Mental Health Day - Saturday 10 October 2015 "The concept of 'medical Necessity' behind non-consensual placement and treatment falls short of scientific evidence and sound criteria. 'Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan E Méndez oration 4th March 2013 as follows: "States should impose an absolute ban on all forced and nonconsensual medical interventions ... "

Jaakko Seikkula talked about "Open dialogue with families increase item resources for Avoiding Unnecessary medication and improve the outcome in psychotic crises" (3). While Open dialogue presented the result of more than 80% recovery shows TIPS as Røssberg propagated that 70% of participants taking antipsychotics after 10 years, that was dependent on antipsychotics. Supporters of traditional psychiatry of medication see this dependence that is created by the medication incorrectly as evidence that patients need medications and are also due. this wrong perception towards drug-free treatment slots.

On this basis, the Directorate of Health, Knowledge Centre of Public Health. Norwegian Medicines Agency is requested to stop legitimising psychiatry harmful over medication in favour of going in for a knowledge- and research-based accumulation of evidence-based health practice based on informed consent.

Follow-up: Editor of the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association, The inner conflicts of psychiatry exposed. he debate on drug-free programmes in mental health care concerns the nature of psychiatry – and what it ought to be. http://tidsskriftet.no/en/2017/03/editor/inner-conflicts-psychiatry-exposed


Attachments:


  1. Knowledge base for treatment with or without the use of psychotropic drugs? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu8i0SeHqjQ h2. https://home.broadpark.no/~wkeim//files/kunnskapsgrunnlaget.html

  2. Martin Harrow: Psychiatric Medications and Long-term Outcomes for Schizophrenia https://www.madinamerica.com/psychiatric-medications-long-term-outcomes-schizophrenia/

  3. Open Dialogue — Alternative Care for Psychosis In Finland Developed By Jaakko Seikkula https://beyondmeds.com/2010/01/04/alternative-for-psychosis/

  4. Robert Whitaker. The Case Against Antipsychotics https://www.madinamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/The-Case-Against-Antipsychotics-2.pdf

  5. Robert Whitaker. Rethinking Antipsychotics: Recovery Rates and Long-term Outcomes for Unmedicated Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders - Litteraturhuset February 17 video, pdf: http://www.stiftelsenhumania.no/2017/02/20/rethinking-antipsychotics-robert-whitaker/

  6. Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP). Long-term Follow-up of the TIPS early detection in psychosis study: Effects on 10-year outcome – facilitated by Dr Andrew Amos http://www.crebp.net.au/long-term-follow-up-of-the-tips-early-detection-in-psychosis-study-effects-on-10-year-outcome-facilitated-by-dr-andrew-amos/



Walter Keim
Almbergskleiva 64
6657 Rindal, 31. January 2017

Letter to Professor Jan Ivar Røssberg, University Oslo

Copy: Robert Whitaker, Jaakko Seikkula, Humania STIFTELSEN, Medisinfrie Tilbud, Knowledge centre (Kunnskapssenteret), Experience expertise (Erfaringskompetanse), Health institute (Helsedirektoratet), Drug administration (Legemiddelverket)

Patients Perspective on Wards without Medication: Knowledge of Evidence and Human Rights

I refer to the contribution of Jan Ivar Røssberg: «Psychiatric wards without medication: Why is it a bad idea?» conference at Litteraturhuset 8. February kl 17-21 about What is the scientific basis of treatment with or without neuroleptics? of the Humania STIFTELSEN.

As part of the realisation of "patients health service" the ministry of health gave the assignment for «Medication free treatment for psychiatric patients».

Norwegian psychiatric association has not taken position but some psychiatrists criticised the offer as unethical, without evidence an experiment and call it a "gigantic mistake" (see Health minister makes totally wrong choices).

Patients meet the following reality:

From a patients perspective questions are:

Attachment: Experience expertise 2012:3 (Erfaringskompetanse.no 2012:3). Force in Health care. Personnel and dissatisfied patients have different opinions (Tvang i psykisk helsevern. Ansatte og misfornøyde brukeres ulike oppfatninger): http://www.erfaringskompetanse.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Tvang-i-psykisk-helsevern.pdf

UN committees the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture strongly support the patients perspective. Real world experience shows that it is possible to abolish forced treatment. Survivors arguments are supported by the CRPD Committees answer.

Recommendations of UN committees

5 UN committees (5), Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC), Ombud against discrimination (LDO), Directorate of Health, Disability organisation support reduction and removal of coercion.

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommends 2013. " that the State party incorporate into the law the abolition of the use of restraint and the enforced administration of intrusive and irreversible treatments such as neuroleptic drugs and electroconvulsive therapy"

Committee against Torture 13 December 2012 CAT/C/NOR/CO/6-7:

(T)he State party should provide systematic, thorough and practical training in the application of the Istanbul Protocol (Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) to all relevant health personnel.

The UN Committee against Torture (CAT/C/NOR/QPR/8) asks Norway 2015 preparing Norway’s report for 2016:

(a) “Whether the use of restraints and the enforced administration of intrusive and irreversible treatments such as neuroleptic drugs and electroconvulsive therapy has been abolished in law...

(b) Ensuring that every competent patient, whether voluntary or involuntary, is fully informed about the treatment to be prescribed and given the opportunity to refuse treatment or any other medical intervention... ”

In General Comment 1 premise 42 the CRPD-committee states about force in psychiatry:

As has been stated by the Committee in several concluding observations, forced treatment by psychiatric and other health and medical professionals is a violation of the right to equal recognition before the law and an infringement of the rights to personal integrity (art. 17); freedom from torture (art. 15); and freedom from violence, exploitation and abuse (art. 16).”

Special Rapporteur on torture banned forced psychiatric treatment

It is possible to ban forced treatment

«Germany without Coercive Treatment in Psychiatry—A 15 Month Real World Experience»1 shows that considerable improvements are possible. The rate of inpatients under coercive medication fall under 0.5 %. In Norway approx. 10% of inpatients where under coercive medication (SINTEF A26086, ISBN 978-82-14-05679-2)2

Survivors arguments and CRPD Committees answer

The survivors of psychiatry “Bundesverband Psychiatrie-BPE-Germany” asked the UN CRPD committee 19. February 2015: «Please condemn Germany as a human rights criminal. Norway uses approx. 20 times more forced medication compared to Germany. UN CRPD Committee gave concluding observations about the Federal Republic of Germany. Quotes from the States Report of the UN CRPD Committee CRPD/C/DEU/CO/1 on 17/04/2015: 3

«30. The Committee recommends that the State party take all the immediate necessary legislative, administrative and judicial measures to:

(a) Amend legislation to prohibit involuntary placement and promote alternative measures that are in keeping with articles 14, 19 and 22 of the Convention;»

33. The Committee is deeply concerned that the State party does not recognize the use
of physical and chemical restraints, solitary confinement and other harmful practices as acts of torture.”


Attachments:

Documentation of harm of antipsykotic medication and human rights issues:

4.1. Council of Evidence-based Psychiatry:http://cepuk.org/http://cepuk.org/unrecognised-facts/long-lasting-negative-effects/

4.2. Psykofarmaka på kort og lang sikt: Tidsskrift for Norsk

Psykologforening, Vol 52, nummer 2, 2015, side 126-131:

https://psykologtidsskriftet.no/intervju/2015/02/psykofarmaka-pa-kort-og-lang-sikt

4.3. PETER C. GØTZSCHE, professor, dr.med., Rigshospitalet: KRONIKEN

5. AUG. 2015 summarises in newspaper Politikken: Tvang i psykiatrien bør forbydes:

http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniken/ECE2781368/tvang-i-psykiatrien-boer-forbydes/

4.4. PETER C. GØTZSCHE, professor, dr.med., Rigshospitalet i Politikken:

'Deadly Psychiatry and Organised Denial' (2015):

http://politiken.dk/forbrugogliv/sundhedogmotion/sygdom/ECE2814922/uddrag-af-doedelig-psykiatri-og-organiseret-benaegtelse/

4.5. The public mental health system is creating a huge class of chronic

mental patients through forcing them to take ineffective, yet extremely

harmful drugs. http://psychrights.org/Research/Digest/NLPs/neuroleptics.htm

4.6. Effective Non-Neuroleptic Treatment

http://psychrights.org/research/Digest/Effective/effective.htm

4.7 Harrow + Wunderink + Open Dialogue = An Evidence-based Mandate for A New Standard of Care:

http://www.madinamerica.com/2013/07/harrow-wunkerlink-open-dialogue-an-evidence-based-mandate-for-a-new-standard-of-care/

4.8. Psych-Drugs Harm - One: Robert Whitaker - A History - September 16, 2015 – CPH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd3_Iq8P3Fo

4.9. Jung, E., Wiesjahn, M., Wendt, H., Bock, T., Rief, W. and Lincoln, T.M., 2016. «Symptoms, functioning and coping strategies in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take antipsychotic medication: a comparative interview study»

http://www.madinamerica.com/2016/07/study-finds-improved-functioning-for-schizophrenia-without-antipsychotics/

  1. Letter to Norwegian Authorities: Norway violates it's human rights obligation to reduce and remove coercion in psychiatry: http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/UN_coercion.html

  2. 16. July 2015: Shadow report: What can be done about NORWAY ranking highest in Europe in use of coercion in psychiatry including human rights breach forced drugging?http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/150716mdac.html

  3. 16. June 2015: Letter to Prime minister Erna Solberg of Norway to respect human rights of people with disabilities and remove coercion in psychiatry http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/150614pm.html

  4. Legemiddelverket oppfordres å slutte å legitimere helseskadelig langtidsmedisinering med antipsykotika: http://wkeim.bplaced.net/files/150916helsedir.html

  5. Kjetil Lund: 23.JUN.2016 : At all tvangsmedisinering må forbys, slik også FN-komiteen under Konvensjonen om funksjonshemmedes rettigheter og andre FN-organer går inn for, er et nødvendig neste skritt. http://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/Psykiatri-Uhyggelig-klokkertro-pa-tvangsmedisinering--Ketil-Lund-580997b.html  Replikk.

  6. Martin Zinkler: Germany without Coercive Treatment in Psychiatry—A 15 Month Real World Experience: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/5/1/15/htm







1Martin Zinkler. Laws 2016, 5(1), 15; doi:10.3390/laws5010015. Germany without Coercive Treatment in Psychiatry—A 15 Month Real World Experience: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/5/1/15/htm

2Døgnpasienter i psykisk helsevern for voksne (PHV) 20. november 2012, SINTEF. https://www.sintef.no/contentassets/f98d2810156e4dd6b8b7aa1da8174334/endeligrapport_sintef-a26086_2.pdf

3CRPD/C/DEU/CO/1: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRPD/C/DEU/CO/1&Lang=en