Peter Breggin

Peter R. Breggin

Name	Peter R. Breggin
Birth name
Birth date
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Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Psychiatrist, Author
Years active
Organization
Known for	Criticism of psychiatric medication and electroconvulsive therapy
Notable works
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Website

Peter R. Breggin is an American psychiatrist known for his criticism of psychiatric medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). He has been a prominent figure in the field of psychiatry and has authored numerous books and articles challenging the mainstream psychiatric practices.

Early Life and Education

Peter Breggin was born in New York City. He attended Harvard College and later received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatric residency at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Mental Health Center.

Career

Breggin began his career as a psychiatrist in the 1960s. He has been a vocal critic of the use of psychiatric drugs and ECT, arguing that they can cause more harm than good. He has testified as an expert witness in numerous legal cases involving psychiatric drugs and treatments.

Criticism of Psychiatric Medication

Breggin is best known for his opposition to the widespread use of psychiatric medications, particularly antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants used to treat ADHD. He argues that these medications can have severe side effects and that their benefits are often overstated by pharmaceutical companies.

Views on Electroconvulsive Therapy

Breggin has also been a critic of ECT, a treatment that involves sending electrical currents through the brain to treat severe depression and other mental illnesses. He contends that ECT can cause permanent brain damage and memory loss.

Publications

Breggin has authored several influential books, including Toxic Psychiatry, Talking Back to Prozac, and Medication Madness. These works explore the potential dangers of psychiatric drugs and advocate for more humane and empowering approaches to mental health care.

Controversy and Criticism

Breggin's views have been controversial within the psychiatric community. Critics argue that his stance against psychiatric medication and ECT is not supported by scientific evidence and that these treatments can be life-saving for some patients. Despite this, Breggin has maintained a significant following among those who are skeptical of conventional psychiatric practices.

Also see

• Psychiatry
• Antidepressants
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• ADHD
• Mental health