War of the Worlds between Psychiatry v. Scientology Beginning to See the Light - Part I

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 01, 2009 – Actor John Travolta publically acknowledged for the first time last week that his 16 year old son Jett’s condition was considered autism.  Jett died tragically after suffering a seizure during a family vacation. In the past, the Travoltas said only that their son was afflicted with Kawasaki disease.  Critics have said the Travoltas would not admit to the label of autism and become advocates because of their belief in Scientology.  

The religion, which calls psychiatry a “pseudoscience”, does not respect the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) used by professionals to label and treat mental health conditions. By consensual agreement within the American Psychiatric Association (Diagnostic and Statical Manual III-revised, 1987), psychiatric diagnoses are descriptive labels only for phenomenology, not etiological or mechanistic explanation for syndromes.  Thus, a psychiatric diagnosis labels a pattern of signs and symptoms, but offers no hypothesis concerning the mechanism(s) of the clinical phenomena.(Davidoff et al., 1991).  

Although stigmatizing, the mental health labels are an established part of the communication process within the medical profession, and interpreted by the general population more readily.

Scientologists, like actor Tom Cruise, are strong advocates against the use of psychiatric medications because of their adverse side effects.  Many mainstream psychiatrists and professionals agree with much of what Scientologists have accurately pointed out, but the fact remains evidenced based solutions to mental health problems need to become recognized and advocated for.

Considering our current national health care crisis, there needs to be a critical analysis of valid research and evidence pointing to “what works” for the safe treatment of symptoms of mental illness, especially in children.  “America’s Mental Health Care Madness”, as researched by Pulizer Prize Nominee Pete Early, is indicative of the stronghold the medical model approach has on a patient’s treatment choice that is continually mainstreamed into public awareness.

Earley, in his book, “Crazy, A Father’s Journey through America’s Mental Health Care Madness”, should be credited for his outstanding journalism in exposing the barbaric conditions of Miami’s jail system regarding the treatment of individuals labeled with mental illness.  However, his research is limited to a medical model approach of drug therapy, excluding recognition of the value from many disciplines of  psychology, nutritional counseling and alternative modalities such as acupuncture, yoga and Bioenergetic Therapy that have successfully healed symptoms of mental illness.  Margot Kidder, Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey are actors actively involved in creating a public awareness of complimentary therapy in treating symptoms of mental illness.

The journey of mental health care treatment is a multi-dimensional sphere of mind-body integration that deserves an open-minded approach from those on the outside of the suffering who greatly influence, or even force harmful medications and treatment on others, especially children.  Earley’s book, although written from the understandable perspective of a parent’s concerns for their child, could be viewed as one that limits an individual’s choice in their treatment approach, as well as supporting forced medication, hospitalization and even eugenics.