In a world where mental health is a growing concern, it is vital to approach any psychiatric care with a critical eye and a full understanding of your rights as a patient. Organizations like the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) emphasize the need for “Full Informed Consent” to ensure that patients are protected from potential fraud and abuse in the psychiatric field, given that there is more suspected fraud and abuse in psychiatric mental health care than in any other area of health care.
Since there are no clinical tests for the mental disorder psychiatric diagnoses from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the correct action on a mentally disturbed person is a full searching clinical examination by a competent non-psychiatric health care practitioner, in order to find and treat any undiagnosed and untreated real medical conditions.
Understanding Full Informed Consent
According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a patient’s right to “Full Informed Consent” is a fundamental human right in the mental health field. It goes beyond a simple agreement to treatment and includes:
The Right to Know: You have the right to be fully informed about the medical legitimacy of a psychiatric diagnosis. This includes asking if there are any clinical tests to show that the “disorder” is a known medical disease.
The Right to Understand Risks: You must be made aware of all documented risks and potential adverse side effects of any proposed psychiatric drugs or other treatments. Psychiatric drugs can be dangerous and potentially lethal.
The Right to Alternatives: You should be informed of all available medical or non-psychiatric alternatives to the proposed treatment.
The Right to Refuse: You have the right to refuse any treatment, including psychiatric drugs, if you believe it is harmful or not in your best interest.
Questions to Ask a Psychiatrist
Based on the principle of Full Informed Consent, here are some questions to ask before starting treatment:
1. What scientific or medical tests can you provide to confirm my diagnosis is a physical disease?
2. What are the documented risks and side effects of the drugs you are prescribing? Are there any international drug regulatory warnings I should know about?
3. What are the success rates of this treatment, and what is your personal experience with it?
4. What are the non-drug alternatives to this treatment, and what are their benefits and risks?
5. How long will I be on this medication, and what is the process for tapering off?
6. What are my rights if I feel this treatment is not working or is causing more harm than good?
Warning About Fraud and Abuse in Psychiatry
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was founded to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights because the psychiatric industry has a history of fraud and abuse.
CCHR points to a lack of scientific basis for psychiatric diagnoses, arguing that they are not rooted in medical tests like diagnoses for other physical illnesses. This can lead to patients being wrongly labeled and prescribed potentially harmful and addictive drugs.
CCHR also raises concerns about involuntary commitment and treatments such as electroshock and psychosurgery, which are also abusive and harmful. The organization warns that by being a vigilant and informed consumer, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from these potential abuses.
If you know someone who has been abused by psychiatry, encourage them to file a complaint here.
Help us investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights. Make a tax deductible donation to CCHR St. Louis.