It has recently been brought to my attention that some people think I am a member of The Church of Scientology. Nope; ain't so. I was recently asked to give a long interview to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which I know is a branch of Scientology. Before doing an interview, I did some research and found that a good number of writers and scholars, whom I respect, had given several interviews to the Scientologists. These contributors include: Thomas Szasz, Loren Mosher, Giorgio Antonucci, and Fred Baughman, while Elliot Valenstein, and Robert Whitaker are often quoted in their literature, I am not certain if they also did interviews. In addition, I have reviewed some of the Commissions literature. I find much of their works defeat their very own purposes, because while it is fairly accurate, it is presented in too melodramatic and bombastic a manner, just as Tom Cruise's on camera antics was well meaning, but too melodramatic. I like what the Scientologists are trying to do, and after having met a number of their representatives, I was surprised to find that I liked them and felt that they are sincere and honest in their campaign to help stem the tide from the abuses of psychiatry and psychology. 
 
Perhaps the Scientologists earned a negative reputation because of the hype and sales techniques of its founder L. Ron Hubbard; I really do not know. However, what bothers me most is that the organization is sometimes mocked by the media, the psychiatrists, the psychologists, and others, when I find that it is the professions of psychiatry and psychology that perhaps deserve more to be mocked. I am not Tom Cruise, claiming to be well informed. I am well informed.  I have taught in a medical school, I have worked in mental hospitals, I have been a Professor of Psychology for over thirty years, I have numerous professional publications, I have won prestigious awards for my writings and research, I consult to the Behavioral Sciences Unit of the Virginia State Police, where I have full security clearance, and I read and research extensively. Indeed, misinformation, disinformation, unethical practices, incompetence, and sheer stupidity abound throughout psychiatry and psychology.
 
I will not join Scientology, but I applaud that at least they are trying to stem the tide of the enormous financial power of the pharmaceutical companies. I ask, no make that I beg, that other institutions of houses worship look deeply into these issues, and if they see what I see, then I ask them to help me do something constructive about it.
 
I have taught Psychopharmacology for over twenty-five years, and I am not a fanatic. I think that, as Syrus stated two thousand years ago, "The pain of the mind can be worse than the pain of the body."  Psychiatric drugs do not correct chemical imbalances, but for a short period of time they can alleviate emotional pain. The consumer should be told of the dangers and risks in plain and honest language, and then decide whether or not to take the drugs for a while, or to give them to their children. However, these drugs are not healthy, and should only be used for the shortest time possible.
 
I am a practicing Christian, and I do not plan to change, but if the Scientologists ask for more interviews, I will gladly agree to do them.
 
Dr. Dave