Psychiatry is not the answer

I am deeply troubled and sorry that David Books sees psychiatry as an answer to “killing sprees,” such as this recent and horrible event [“Spree killers: start with psychiatry,” Opinion, July 25]. Doesn’t he know that psychiatry uses these drugs as their primary cure, without any scientific evidence that they do anything good for people?

Companies like Ely Lily and Pfizer that manufacture these drugs (reaping in billions) have been repeatedly fined by the FDA 100’s of millions of dollars for fraud and damages by the FDA? Doesn’t he know that all sorts of psychotropic drugs like Ritalin, Prozac, Lunesta and many others are required to list warnings that side effects may occur including suicide, deep depression and more.

He seems to be completely oblivious to the fact that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that psychiatry has never cured anything, let alone the hidden and evil ambitious motives and acts of mass murderers.

— Jay Weinstein, Seattle

We need to pay attention to our neighbors

Thank you David Brooks for hitting the “nail on the head.” How many times have we read of a seemingly ordinary person becoming unhinged and hurting someone, usually a friend or relative? Then we read interviews with neighbors and little things are mentioned like “he kept to himself, complained about the government, resented paying taxes, wouldn’t keep up the yard and argued with anyone who complained, let his dog run loose and yelled at anyone who complained,” (recent murder/suicide in Bremerton).

These statements should tell us all that we should be paying attention to our neighbors, even if they are difficult, and help them get the help they need. Pushing them aside as “nuts” or screwballs might just lead to disaster.

Thanks again, Seattle Times editors.

— Frank Seehale, Silverdale