Today you published an article by Dr. Mercola regarding the cause of mass shootings and specifically his opinion on antidepressants and “over diagnosis of depression”. First of all, you did not allow a dissenting point of view despite this newspaper’s constant criticism of China for the same reason.
Second, I am also a practicing Ostepathic Physician, Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, Addiction Medicine, and a Fellowship in Primary Care Psychiatry. I have been in practice 29 years. All of the data shows Depression is seriously under diagnosed, not over diagnosed. And, in fact, Bipolar 1 often takes about 10 years to properly diagnose as many doctors mistakenly think it is Major Depression, and misprescribe an antidepressant although Depression is a major feature. I prescribe antidepressants all the time as most patients with Substance Use Disorders have some form of Depression. Not one of them has complained of more depression, increasing aggression, etc. However, there are side effects they frequently complain of like weight gain. It is also interesting to note he never brought up Methamphetamine, which can cause psychosis and is frequently been seen in patients committing violent crimes. I have read many of Dr. Mercola’s articles about diet, supplements, and toxins in the environment. I have no complaints about them, but he clearly does not practice in this field every day as I do, and therefore is not giving expert advice. In addition, the Epoch Times fell short of its journalistic duty….