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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 29. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Klavot on February 19, 2007, at 14:44:37
Hi all
Are there any drugs to treat afflictions like cannibalism, hypochondriasm, psychopathy, etc.? By psychopathy I mean being a psychopath - I'm not sure whether "psychopathy" is a recognised term, but there you go.
Methinks Dr Hannibal Lecter could have done with a good strong dose of haloperidol instead of restraining him in a straight-jacket.
Klavot
Posted by med_empowered on February 19, 2007, at 18:41:22
In reply to Drugs for cannibalism, posted by Klavot on February 19, 2007, at 14:44:37
I dunno man...in one of my crime/deviance classes, the book said that results haven't been so great with anything (stimulants, barbiturates, BZDs, antidepressants, neuroleptics, beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, lithium)...violence and abnormal behavior ("psychopathology") occur in a social context; they aren't primarily psychiatric disorders--they become such through the "medicalization of deviance".
Posted by FredPotter on February 19, 2007, at 18:41:43
In reply to Drugs for cannibalism, posted by Klavot on February 19, 2007, at 14:44:37
I suspect the take-up of such a drug might be quite low in the Western world. Still you never know, and clinical trials would be fun! Of course an extra set of highly-paid volunteers (those to be eaten) would be required which might make the cost of the trials prohibitive
Posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 19:10:25
In reply to Drugs for cannibalism, posted by Klavot on February 19, 2007, at 14:44:37
Come to think of it, haloperidol has really stopped my cannibalistic tendencies.
> Hi all
>
> Are there any drugs to treat afflictions like cannibalism, hypochondriasm, psychopathy, etc.? By psychopathy I mean being a psychopath - I'm not sure whether "psychopathy" is a recognised term, but there you go.
>
> Methinks Dr Hannibal Lecter could have done with a good strong dose of haloperidol instead of restraining him in a straight-jacket.
>
> Klavot
Posted by linkadge on February 19, 2007, at 19:56:53
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 19:10:25
What do you mean by...tendancies?
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart on February 19, 2007, at 20:33:52
In reply to Re: you know what... » alienatari, posted by linkadge on February 19, 2007, at 19:56:53
do we have a cannibal emunge us?
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 21:08:20
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 19:10:25
Alien I didn't know you liked to eat people and animal? Did you take your meds today?
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 21:09:35
In reply to Re: Drugs for cannibalism » Klavot, posted by FredPotter on February 19, 2007, at 18:41:43
Fred I don't there would be very many volunteers. Are you volunteering. Love Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 21:25:21
In reply to Re: you know what... » alienatari, posted by linkadge on February 19, 2007, at 19:56:53
lol dude it was a joke
> What do you mean by...tendancies?
>
> Linkadge
Posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 21:26:01
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by rjlockhart on February 19, 2007, at 20:33:52
lol
it was a joke, lighten up people!!!!
> do we have a cannibal emunge us?
>
>
Posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 21:26:52
In reply to Re: you know what... » alienatari, posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 21:08:20
I had a nice rib of Asian for lunch. Asian meat is very tasty.
> Alien I didn't know you liked to eat people and animal? Did you take your meds today?
Posted by FredPotter on February 19, 2007, at 22:00:52
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 21:25:21
er so was my post . . . meant to be a joke
It's made me think there are a lot of possibilities for medicalisation. But once again the cost of clinical trials etc . . .
1. Arsonism (petrol costs , lost buildings, lives)
2. Rapism (cost of counsellors afterwards)
3. Murderism (oh well once you're dead you're dead)
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 22:07:41
In reply to Re: you know what... » alienatari, posted by FredPotter on February 19, 2007, at 22:00:52
Fred how true maybe we can come back and do it over again the right way? Love Phillipa ps I want to come back as my Brandy dog my white pup.
Posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 22:16:58
In reply to Re: you know what... » alienatari, posted by FredPotter on February 19, 2007, at 22:00:52
lol thats so wrong.
ok sorry I thought you were serious as Im getting babblemails from people thinking I was serious hehe
> er so was my post . . . meant to be a joke
>
> It's made me think there are a lot of possibilities for medicalisation. But once again the cost of clinical trials etc . . .
> 1. Arsonism (petrol costs , lost buildings, lives)
> 2. Rapism (cost of counsellors afterwards)
> 3. Murderism (oh well once you're dead you're dead)
Posted by Klavot on February 20, 2007, at 1:54:19
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 22:16:58
Seriously though, I seem to recall that neuroleptics have anti-aggression properties or something.
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2007, at 7:26:50
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by alienatari on February 19, 2007, at 22:16:58
Ok, few. You never know. You can meet some interesting people one these boards.
Linkadge
Posted by Larry Hoover on February 20, 2007, at 8:26:17
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by Klavot on February 20, 2007, at 1:54:19
> Seriously though, I seem to recall that neuroleptics have anti-aggression properties or something.
Well, the name of the class of drugs translates to something like "seizing (control over) the mind". An older name for the class was "major tranquilizer", to separate them from e.g. the minor ones (benzos, barbiturates, etc.).
I was struck by what I saw as an inconsistency in your original post (and I'm sure my opinion will draw debate), but cannibalism is a purely social construct. People have been eating people for as long as there has been both people and hunger, methinks. We are taught not to look at people as food.
As to the other two examplars, hypochondriasis and psycopathy, I would argue that they have trait characteristics, i.e. are due at least in part to individual variation, if not substantially due to unique qualities of the individual.
As I understand it, there is no accepted treatment for psychopathy. I suppose, if you drug one to a stupor, you might consider that a successful treatment. But I doubt the psychopath would agree with you.
There is such a social stigma to hypochondriasis, I wouldn't wish that label on anyone. They might indeed benefit from a major tranquilizer, just to bear everyone else's reaction. <said with sarcasm> You know, even hypochondriacs get sick, and I bet they have a great deal of trouble getting treated.
Lar
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 20, 2007, at 14:42:36
In reply to Drugs for cannibalism, posted by Klavot on February 19, 2007, at 14:44:37
One cannot medicate a value system.
Posted by Declan on February 20, 2007, at 22:37:16
In reply to Re: you know what... » Klavot, posted by Larry Hoover on February 20, 2007, at 8:26:17
Double blind trial?
How would it work?
Posted by linkadge on February 21, 2007, at 8:24:02
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by Declan on February 20, 2007, at 22:37:16
"Since starting Antican-XL, how would you rate your tendancies to eat people on a scale of 1-10?"
Linkadge
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 21, 2007, at 13:06:15
In reply to Re: you know what... » Declan, posted by linkadge on February 21, 2007, at 8:24:02
What about autocannibalism?
Posted by Klavot on February 21, 2007, at 13:08:13
In reply to Re: you know what... » Declan, posted by linkadge on February 21, 2007, at 8:24:02
I never suggested doing a trial on anti-cannibalism drugs as some of you seem to have interpreted. What I mean is the following: can non-psychiatric behavioural conditions be treated with drugs? Consider fow example the following:
o) SSRI's lower libido in many patients. Could SSRI's be used in theory to treat rapists and paedophiles(*)?
o) Some websites claim that SSRI's and Wellbutrin may be useful in treating back pain. Could these drugs also be used to treat mild aches and pains associated with hypochondriases?
o) Could mood-stabilisers, antipsychotics, or whatever drugs which have anti-aggression properties, be used to treat psychopaths who have a tendency for committing violent crimes?
Anyway, this conversation is going nowhere, so just forget it. Now of course that's not true, some of you have offered interesting analysis and all, but since quitting Vitamin Z(**) my rejection over-sensitivity has returned, viz. I feel affronted by some of your posts, and I just don't have the psychic energy to engage in these sorts of discussions anymore.
Klavot
(*) Not to be mistaken for a PDF file.
(**) Zoloft.
Posted by FredPotter on February 21, 2007, at 14:08:22
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by Klavot on February 21, 2007, at 13:08:13
I think those are good ideas. I've often thought that trhe main effect of SSRIs is sexual dysfunction and would be good to use on rapists. Their depression may lift as a side effect a few weeks later, to assuage the guilt. OTOH a drug that just gave anorgasmia would make the rape act much worse and protracted for the recipient. So perhaps not
Fred
Posted by linkadge on February 21, 2007, at 15:53:37
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by Klavot on February 21, 2007, at 13:08:13
I see what you are saying now. I think it is definately a possability that these drugs could have potential in some of the mentioned applications.
I know that SSRI's are sometimes used adjunctively for some of the mentioned sexual issues, however, there are more potent and selective forms of chemical castration. (I know, I know, it's hard to believe that there is a more poetnet form of chemical castration than the SSRI's, but its true)
I suppose it would be a common assumption that an individual would have to posess some sort of comorbid mental illness in order to commit rape etc.
I don't know what the statistics are, but I'm not so sure that such conclusions can be made.
For instance, back when it was considered a mental illness to be gay, it was often assumed that being gay was somehow a result of being depressed.
While depression is often comorbid with homosexuality, I would argue that it is a result of the lingering nagative public view of it.
Linkadge
Posted by Klavot on February 21, 2007, at 16:26:50
In reply to Re: you know what..., posted by Klavot on February 21, 2007, at 13:08:13
My apologies to everybody for my earlier juvenile mintrim(*).
Klavot
(*) mintrim = mini-tantrum
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