Prof. Jordan Peterson and his Xanax

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Thursday, February 13. 2020

Prof. Jordan Peterson and his Xanax

Jordan Peterson in Russia for medical benzodiazepine detox, daughter says

I can not imagine why he had to go to Russia for this, but it sounds terrible, a bad story. Xanax is a fine medicine, used correctly.

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss at 17:46 | Comments (18) | Trackbacks (0)

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Can it be used correctly and still not be a fine medicine (for all)?

"It became apparent that he was suffering from both physical dependency and a paradoxical reaction to the medication," the younger Peterson said about her father, a professor at the University of Toronto. She explained that a paradoxical reaction was when a drug has the opposite of the intended effect.

The American College of Emergency Physicians supports Peterson's depiction of a paradoxical reaction.

"Still, within this low prevalence, there appears to be certain risk factors which increase susceptibility for developing paradoxical reactions such as: male gender, recreational abusers, psychiatric disorders, high-dosage regimens and extremes of age," the ACEP writes, noting that such reactions are rare.

"Neither our family nor our doctors here believe this is a case of psychological addiction," she said. "Benzodiazepine physical dependence due to brain changes can occur in a matter of weeks. It can be made even worse by paradoxical reactions that are difficult to diagnose. It can be extremely dangerous. We've been told and hope that dad will recover fully but it will take time, and he still has a ways to go. We're extremely lucky and grateful that he's alive."

I'm not the Doctor here, just quoting details found in a different article that gives a fuller picture.

#1 Bob on 2020-02-13 19:06 (Reply)

Because it is a BS cover story.

#2 rbm on 2020-02-13 19:29 (Reply)

A cover story for what?

#2.1 Erasmus on 2020-02-13 19:48 (Reply)

We have all heard that classic misdirection where a public person perhaps fired from a public job gives a press release that says they are quitting to spend more time with their family. It's an easy lie to identify but what is behind it? That often remains unknown. So something about his story seems untrue or intended to misdirect, that much is obvious.

#2.1.1 OneGuy on 2020-02-14 10:08 (Reply)

I forget if it was Xanax or Klonopin, but I know someone who had to be hospitalized for benzodiazapine withdrawal. Apparently it can be fatal.

#2.1.1.1 itsatax on 2020-02-14 14:20 (Reply)

Sorry, put my comment in wrong place

#2.1.1.1.1 itsatax on 2020-02-14 14:38 (Reply)

Xanax is tougher to get off than other benzos.

Anxiety disorders are extremely variable, and from this distance none of us can make more than a guess as to what is happening. We just don't have the data. There are illnesses one can diagnose with accuracy from a few lines in the chart*, but others that provide a mixed picture so often that competent clinicians who respect each other's opinions can disagree strongly.

* Don't ever say this, though.

#3 Assistant Village Idiot on 2020-02-13 21:54 (Reply)

I should also mention that anxiety disorders and depression can subtly affect reasoning, but do not impair it in the usual sense. Depressed people are actually better at predicting outcomes, suggesting that life sucks more than we dare admit, but we are evolutionarily wired for enough optimism to override reality just a bit.

#4 Assistant Village Idiot on 2020-02-13 21:57 (Reply)

I have been following Professor Peterson for several years now. During the past two years I have noticed that he lost weight; seemed more tired and less relaxed during interviews. I think he took his calling to heart much more than his body could stand. Doing two or thee lectures a week to a sell out crowds for months on end wears anyone down. Just ask your favorite musician how many towns he/she can travel to and performances they can give during a week. Professor Peterson was overbooked, and because his message was becoming so necessary and the audiences so needy he responded by doing more than his body, soul, and mind could do for weeks and months on end. Let the poor man rest. You will notice that others fighting the feminist/transgender/onslaught have also retired. I am thinking of Janice Fiamengo formerly tenured at the University of Ottawa she is now retired and living in BC. The harassment, the wear and tear just got to be too much. Professor Peterson was much more productive, much more visible and ultimately I believe became much more physically and emotionally worn down.

#5 faculty wife on 2020-02-13 23:18 (Reply)

Best wishes and recovery to Dr Peterson. I'm very sorry to hear his wife has cancer. He has done a lot of good for alot of people. Listen or read his book 12 Rules for Life and you're hear how his daughter has been through much as well.

#5.1 grant1863 on 2020-02-14 01:02 (Reply)

P.S. I forgot to mention that feminists within the medical profession may, or may not, be ethical. My own DH has experienced this when he went in for a colonoscopy. A female family member is a well known feminist/nurse. Historically it has always been the case that, it only took one poke with a needle to find a vein in his arm. I have sat with him so many times when doing blood tests, or taking in medications--it never takes more than one try to get the needle where it belongs. But, on this particular occasion THREE different nurses came in to poke the needle into his arm. THREE different nurses, laughing and giggling poked him ten TEN times in the hands and arms before they were able to "get the needle in". It was clear to both of us what was going on--so yes, I do understand why Professor Jordan may have needed to go out of country to get the best medical treatment.

#6 faculty wife on 2020-02-13 23:27 (Reply)

I never knew a person who took this on a prescription that didn't also get addicted. Maybe it was just the circle I was in, though. We used to take it for fun. But I can't imagine a life on xanax that is better than a life with anxiety. There's a reason the pills are called TOMBSTONES. It zonks you out of awareness, numbs you to everything, and warps you emotionally. I don't see a way to develop mentally while on this stuff.

As for JP, I guess the cliche is true that people become pschologists to figure out what's wrong with themselves. After he gets clean he still has to live with the embarassment of not taking his own advice that he made millions off of selling to everyone esle. He mostly just hocked common sense. But I think his lectures on the Old Testament are some of the most interesting stuff I've ever heard. I'm sure he's in Russia because it's as far as he could get from everyone he knows. I wish him well.

#7 Jack Walter on 2020-02-14 07:20 (Reply)

Also, in my opinion xanax should never be prescribed. There has to be better alternatives. But what do I know? I got my medical degree on the streets and specialized in recreation.

But... If you're going to prescribe it you should try living on it for a while first to see what it actually does to you. It's different than what the studies will tell you.

#7.1 Jack Walter on 2020-02-14 07:31 (Reply)

"in my opinion xanax should never be prescribed"

I could not agree more and I have a real medical degree and have subsequently specialised in addiction.

A drug that should be prohibited.

#7.1.1 Anon on 2020-02-16 05:54 (Reply)

WTH do the Russians know that NA medical professionals don't?

#8 Alex Gregorewsky on 2020-02-14 08:03 (Reply)

Mentioned in what I have read on this is that Peterson's Canadian doctors originally 'misdiagnosed' his condition. Maybe that's true, or maybe something more sinister, in the vein of what faculty wife described, went on. Why Russia I can't say but given the vilification that Peterson has received in North America and Europe I can see why he and his family might look for a rehab facility someplace that isn't familiar with his views.

#8.1 Christopher B on 2020-02-14 08:12 (Reply)

He had to go somewhere without "free" healthcare to actually get competent treatment.

#9 NJSoldier on 2020-02-14 08:58 (Reply)

My daughter was prescribed 3 meds...2 of which were contraindicated. I found her in bed, scarlet red, thrashing and groaning, foaming at the mouth. She survived, but was hospitalized for two weeks while the doctors got her off her meds. She found intense physical exercise as a cure for her depression, which she'd struggled with for years.
As for the Russians knowing something, they have some interesting treatments which include extended water fasting centers. Not sure what else you might discover.

#10 Jewel (Link) on 2020-02-14 20:32 (Reply)

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Thursday, February 13. 2020

Prof. Jordan Peterson and his Xanax