Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who does not have a medical degree — wants to get Americans off anti-depressant medications while doctors urge caution before changing any medication.
RFK Jr. made his draconian statement during a daylong summit held yesterday by the Make America Healthy Again Institute, reports the New York Times:
During his confirmation hearings last year, Mr. Kennedy claimed, without evidence, that S.S.R.I.s were partly responsible for the rise in school shootings, and that they could be harder to quit than heroin. At Monday’s event, Mr. Kennedy repeated that claim.
“I happen to be an actual expert, because I was addicted to heroin for 14 years, and I never wanted to be,” he said. “I was constantly getting off it, and then came back on. I went through withdrawal probably 100 times,” he added. “You just have to steel yourself for 72 bad hours.”
…Mr. Kennedy also released a “Dear Colleague” letter directing providers “to expand the use of nonpharmacologic treatments and to strengthen informed consent and shared decision making.” The letter recommends psychotherapy, exercise, social connection, physical activity, diet and nutrition, among other interventions.
“Our goal is straightforward: to reduce unnecessary dependence on medication, to improve patient outcomes and to return control to the patients,” he said…
Many people report withdrawal symptoms after lowering a dose or stopping an antidepressant. The symptoms may include “brain zaps,” which are shocklike sensations, flulike symptoms, insomnia, nausea and restlessness.