About the Author

Beverley Thomson is a writer, researcher and speaker with a focus on psychiatric medication including antidepressants, benzodiazepines and ADHD drugs; their history, how the drugs work, adverse effects, dependence, withdrawal and development of patient support services. Her aim is to help inform and empower the patient to make informed choices about medication. She has a particular interest in withdrawal management and prescription drug-induced suicide. In the past 10 years, she has worked with organizations such as the British Medical Association, the Scottish Government (as part of a working group addressing the issue of prescribed drug harm and dependence in Scotland), the UK Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry (writing evidence-based summaries to be used by professionals and the general public), and the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence. She has contributed to articles in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and mainstream media.

Reviews

"...a valuable input to the process of change in global mental health and an essential book for both users and providers of mental health services."
—Dainius Pūras, MD, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

"...vital to understanding SSRI's and other antidepressants."
—Will Hall, MA, author of The Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs

"...essential reading for anyone prescribing or taking antidepressants."
—Marion Brown, BSc, MBA, HG.Dip.P
 
"...a book every medical professional should read."
—Jill Nickens, founder of Akathisia Alliance

"...provides a summary of what you need to know which has been difficult to access before now."
—Dr. Sian F. Gordon, MBChB, MRCGP

"...a powerful examination of the potential consequences of an overtly medical response to emotional distress."
—James Moore, host of the Let’s Talk Withdrawal and Mad in America podcasts