EDITORIAL - Treating Schizophrenia without Medical Back up

Recently a young man was admitted to hospital for ten days after having smoked marijuana. In hospital he was denied vitamins in spite of vigorous protestations by his mother. She was almost getting ready to launch a legal action against the hospital, when they discharged him. At first they were going to discharge him to the streets, but his mother made it clear that if they did, they might expect a call from her lawyer immediately.

I have always thought that the primary function of the doctor is to help patients get well. It should not matter whether this is done by vitamins or drugs, or by any esoteric procedure. Why is it so difficult for psychiatrists to allow their patients, whom they will see only for a few days, to remain on vitamins while they are trying one drug after another?

When schizophrenic patients are treated by drugs alone–which almost ensures they will never recover–they are offered massive support by their doctors, by social service agencies, and by schizophrenia support societies. When they are treated by orthomolecular methods they are deprived of all these supports. The only support they have is from their immediate family and from the solitary physicians who treat them. It almost appears that all the pressures from society are aimed at maintaining them in a perpetual state of ill health.

In spite of these massive attempts to prevent patients from taking this treatment, they do recover. This is one of the major tributes to the strength of orthomolecular treatment. It works even in the face of opposition of ignorant but well-meaning people, especially professionals.

A. Hoffer M.D., Ph.D, FRCP(C)