Brooke Siem

2 months ago | brookesiem.substack.com | Brooke Siem

It seems that with the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, I’m going to become much more embroiled in politics than I ever cared to be, given that antidepressants have become a primary political football. Immediately after RFK’s confirmation, on February 13, 2025, Trump issued an executive order establishing the objectives of the Make America Healthy Again Commission.

2 months ago | brookesiem.substack.com | Brooke Siem

During Day 1 of Robert F. Kennedy’s Confirmation Hearing, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) asked Kennedy a “simple” question: Do you believe antidepressants cause school shootings? What follows is an infuriating interaction, in which Kennedy is continually interrupted and visibly frustrated while Smith either ignores or is ignorant to the science of SSRI-induced violence, refuses to acknowledge the nuance of the question she asked, and uses personal anecdote as a justification for…I don’t know.

Jan 23, 2025 | brookesiem.substack.com | Brooke Siem

For the last 4 years, Happiness Is A Skill has come out roughly every other Tuesday, which means all sorts of research and good info gets lost in the in-between days. Given the new administration and general cultural shift I’m sensing in the world of psychiatric drugs, I’m going to test out more frequent newsletters to get you the relevant info. These in-between issues will be shorter and more straightforward. Think press release rather than in-depth op-ed.

Jan 22, 2025 | madinamerica.com | Brooke Siem

In this interview, Brooke Siem, who is the author of a memoir on antidepressant withdrawal, May Cause Side Effects, interviews Gretchen LeFever Watson, PhD. Gretchen is a developmental and clinical psychologist with postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology. She has served as a professor in multiple disciplines at universities and medical schools in the United States and abroad and as the patient safety director for a large healthcare system.

Jan 21, 2025 | brookesiem.substack.com | Brooke Siem

This is the 3rd issue about diet and its connection to physical health, mental health, and recovering from antidepressant withdrawal. Find past issues here:Issue 136: How World War II, cigarette companies, and an obscure 1937 law determine what you put in your mouth today. Issue 138: Nutrition Strategy #1 for Performance and Mental Health: No Food In PackagesThis issue is about fat.