Compulsive Behavior Side Effects?

More often than not we hear or read about me discussing taking personal responsibility and being personally held accountable for our words and actions. This post won’t be any different. I found it humorous that I was sent the link to the below information and shortly after reading it I heard a damn commercial for the same thing. Odd what we hear on the radio @ 02:30 am while driving my happy ass to work. Anyone, I would assume, who watches television or listens to the radio has seen or heard at least one Ambilify commercial. True or not? Having a son who suffers from mild bipolar disorder we have been bombarded with samples and prescription answers which will somehow magically transform behavior. I tell you from my personal experience, we don’t use my son for a testing ground so big pharmaceuticals can make their billions at the cost of my son’s mental well-being. So, when I saw this bullshit about the lawsuit towards the makers of Ambilify I merely smiled to myself because we all know there is not one single perfect medication with no side effects. While my son has never taken Ambilify, we did research it extensively, just as we have done with many others.

But why are we here right now? But why did I choose to write about it right now? It’s simple, this is another example of people who cannot be responsible for their own actions. It’s about people who blame someone else for their own behavior because they acted without self control. It’s because people want the quick fix. It’s about people who choose to not read the small print or they choose to ignore the small print. Yes, I find this lawsuit as being fucking stupid because people made bad choices but don’t want to take responsibility for their own decisions. But then we know in our society nobody is forced to be held accountable, it’s always somebody else at fault. Bullshit! If we fuck up we just sue someone because we can profit from our lack of responsibility. Or have we forgot that coffee from a fast food joint is extremely hot and will burn the fuck out out your crotch if you spill it? People are dumbasses. Let this be yet just one more example.

The following information was originally found here and provided by a leading contributor to The Scorpion Army. I don’t have any express or otherwise permissions to copy this story from the above linked website or to use it on my blog as part of a post which includes my personal opinion. Hopefully they understand I do not support the lawsuit efforts but do not hold the above website responsible for posting this story. In the end, if they wish that I remove it in part or completely it will happen swiftly and immediately. The two pictures were borrowed from the internet using Google. Remember, I neither gain or loose anything by sharing the following information, it’s just being shared because I found it truly interesting.

Abilify has been linked to compulsive behavior side effects, such as pathological gambling, binge eating and hypersexuality. These behaviors are thought to be triggered by the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

One of the most popular treatments for a variety of mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,  makes billions for Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company. It was the top-selling drug in the U.S. in 2013 with sales of over $6.4 billion. The drug works by either increasing or decreasing dopamine or serotonin in the brain when there is an imbalance, and this makes it useful for a variety of approved and unapproved uses.

However, the drug is also linked to disturbing compulsive behavior side effects that can wreak havoc on the lives of patients and their families.

Among these side effects, compulsive or pathological gambling can be financially crippling, and it can destroy lives. People in the grip of compulsive behaviors will do anything they can to continue the chosen activity, even if it means ignoring the rest of their lives and withdrawing from friends and family.

This side effect in particular may lead to lawsuits against Bristol-Myers and Otsuka America, claiming the companies did not properly warn patients and doctors of this serious side effect.

In addition, reports of other side effects include compulsive eating, shopping and even sex addiction.

How Abilify Causes Compulsive Behavior

While doctors aren’t exactly sure how Abilify (aripiprazole) works, they believe it acts on receptors in the brain for chemicals that regulate mood and behavior. These chemicals are neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin.

When the dopamine system is stimulated in response to a particular activity, people will feel a high from it or a feeling of pleasure. This reward system normally ensures that we continue to eat and do other things we need to do to survive. In people with mental disorders, these systems are stimulated excessively, or not enough.

Researchers think Abilify may over-stimulate dopamine reward receptors in the brain – called dopamine 3 (D3) receptors – and trigger compulsive behavior.

Compulsive Gambling

Several case studies focused on a connection between aripiprazole and compulsive behavior, also called pathological behavior, especially in the case of gambling. One French study published in 2013 by Gaboriau, et al., examined several people who checked into a clinic because of their compulsive gambling behaviors. Study authors looked at eight individuals who took Abilify as part of ongoing medical treatment. Researchers found the drug caused seven of the eight patients to lose control of their gambling habits.

After discontinuing the drug or greatly reducing the dose, patients regained control of their compulsive behaviors, researchers wrote.

Another 2011 case study by Cohen, et al. found similar results in patients treated for schizophrenia. No patients in this study had a history of pathological gambling. Soon after taking the drug, they began gambling uncontrollably.

Similarly, a 2011 British study conducted by the National Problem Gambling Clinic found a relationship between Abilify and the drive to gamble in some patients. Doctors described one case in which a patient took the antipsychotic and “was preoccupied with thoughts of gambling and his gambling activity became both impulsive and involved extensive planning in obtaining funds to gamble, including the use of crime.”

Another patient said gambling became “a reason to live” after he took the drug.

In all cases, gambling problems resolved after discontinuing Abilify and switching to another drug.

Why Is Al Jazeera Being Forced Into American Homes?

Two weeks ago Americans subscribing to basic cable and satellite networks woke up to a new channel in the line up. I’m sure that most Americans have seen the channel addition if they watch any television at all. I noticed and I only watch about 45 minutes of actual television programming each day. News junkies like my parents are a bit frustrated with their satellite carrier because it shows up in the line up. I don’t usually get caught up in all of my parent’s hoopla about politics and such but they happen to notice the new channel addition as well and they had an opinion similar to my own. What is that opinion? Personally I don’t think a network that openly let Osama Bin Laden communicate with jihadists around the globe to promote and execute missions with his direct propaganda.  Why does the Al Jazeera Network think that just because they slap an “America” at the end of the name that Americans won’t remember the network or recall that it openly supported a global terrorist that was hell bent on destroying America? I don’t forget so easily. Having been in Kuwait and Iraq in the early and mid 90s I remember perfectly the hate mongering this and other like minded networks promoted towards Americans and the American efforts in that region. Now the network has bullied it’s way into basic cable and satellite packages nationwide. Now, whether you like it or not, get to subsidize all that propaganda as a part of your cable or satellite bill.

I don’t know how you feel but I don’t like supporting Al Jazeera with proceeds from my own personal cable bill. Why should Americans have to pay for their utterly vile propaganda? Why should Americans be forced to fund what the Emir of Qatar created and is run by the government of Qatar? AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner are both being sued by Al Jazeera for backing out of their contracts to air the network . I’m pissed as a cable subscriber that I’m being forced to pay and support a network that is owned and operated by a foreign dictatorship. Al Jazeera has a long history of anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism, and openly support Islamic terror. Why should I be forced to pay for a network owned by this foreign dictatorship that is known for appeasing and subsidizing Islamic terrorists?

I guess I’m not objected to the channel being available on the networks. It should be something that I, the consumer, can make the choice to add to my package, not forced to have it. One would think that if the channel is just ignored that the ratings would plummet and the channel would get dropped. I have the mind to write a letter to my cable provider formally requesting that they drop the anti-American and anti-Semitic Al Jazeera from their basic package. I know what your thinking, if I’m so upset why don’t I just dump the cable provider and move on. Sounds easy enough, and it was an actual thought I had, but unfortunately the other providers available locally also offer it in their basic line up. In the end I guess I will do as the rest of Americans are being forced to do, just bend over and take it in the ass, pay to support Al Jazeera, and do it all with a big fat fucking smile. Way wrong answer. What is my answer then? I’m not sure yet but I will not be tolerating this much longer. I sure the hell hope my wife can find the rabbit ears for the big screen television. Be sure to take the poll below. I would like to know how others feel and think.