RFKJR

[BlueKota]

Now wants to take away SSRIs. I hope the worm comes back and eats what little is left of his brain.

I take Escitolopram. I have had several bouts with major depressive episodes, have been suicidal 3 times, and hospitalized several times since my 30's. My psychiatrists over the years have told me, my mental illness is treatable but not curable and I will need medication for the rest of my life.

Since one of my previous psychiatrists came up with a combination of 3 meds including the Escitolopram, I have been relatively stable for the last five years. Now I have to be scared the Escitolopram is taken away, and how it might put me back at high risk? I really concerned about this.
https://people.com/rfk-jr-pushes-for-the-deprescribing-of-antidepressants-11975001

[SheltieLover]

1. ...

[BlueKota]

2. Thank you.

[Deuxcents]

3. Politicians should stay out of doctor-patient decisions. They are not medical experts or even doctors

Especially this bunch of people.

[BlueKota]

4. I agree.

Kennedy especially has no qualifications for this job. He's obviously mentally ill himself so should not be in a position to decide the treatment of others.

[mcar]

5. Your health shouldn't be subject to the whims of a

brain-worm addled addict. Crikey what a timeline.

[BlueKota]

18. These times suck

[hlthe2b]

6. It is insane... I have always preached caution on these drugs, but under appropriate supervised care,

they can be miraculous for those who really need them. There are very justified indications for a myriad of reasons in medicine--in veterinary medicine as well.

He's an uninformed pompous ideologue and dangerous in this current role (or any role).

[BlueKota]

19. He should have never been approved

[Goonch]

7. ;-{)......

[BlueKota]

20. Very fitting

[twodogsbarking]

8. That's not nearly enough to explain how fuck*d up of an individual he is.

There aren't enough medical terms to cover it all so just go with fuck*d up.

[Joinfortmill]

12. Fucked up is a good start.

[BlueKota]

21. It fits

[irisblue]

9. If I take advice from a heroin user, it will be from Keith Richards

[BlueKota]

23. I definitely think Keith has more brain cells left.

[oasis]

10. RFKjr. is dangerous man.

[BlueKota]

24. He really is

[Joinfortmill]

11. Oh, my what a terrible situation to be in.

[BlueKota]

25. It's scary.

I have a regularly scheduled visit with my therapist on Monday. This is going to be the first thing I bring up.

[Joinfortmill]

39. Wishing you well

[BlueKota]

40. Thank you.

[Ilsa]

13. My SSRI is keeping me alive and civil. nt

[BlueKota]

26. Same with me.

I hope he doesn't get his way.

[Buddyzbuddy]

14. I have somebody close to me that takes meds to stabilize his/her mood swings.

They are life changing for that person and the people that are in that person's life. Without them, they become suicidal/homicidal.
If this person has missed the dose(one per day) for 2 days it becomes obvious to those around but not to the person taking the meds. By day 3 if meds are missed or not refilled this person becomes a different, scary, stressed unrecognizable person.

The meds don't keep the person happy or high, just rational. The meds are life changing.

[BlueKota]

27. They definitely help.

[TheRickles]

15. No need to exaggerate - he doesn't want to take them away, just use them more cautiously.

Here's a good overview from that far-right MAGA rag, the New York Times (just kidding):
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/magazine/rfk-jr-antidepressants-ssris-psychiatry.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ilA.dS9w.sYY_2-x-XVI5&smid=url-share

[BlueKota]

28. Unfortunately this article doesn't include

opposing view points from the American Psychiatric Association who have already expressed the opinion that Kennedy is dangerously over simplifying the issue. It should have. His plan does mention weaning off people off, who decides that? It should be up to an individuals psychiatrist not an individual who has no medical background. These are questions that need to be addressed.

[TheRickles]

33. From the article:

"The American Psychiatric Association put out a news release stating that “we strongly object to framing the nation’s mental health crisis as primarily a problem of ‘overmedicalization’ or ‘overprescribing.’” The main issue, the A.P.A. maintained, is insufficient and unequal access to care."

[Eve Of Destruction]

32. Not an exaggeration. Kennedy absolutely would like to ban them.

They've openly talked about a ban.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kennedys-health-officials-explored-us-ban-some-widely-used-antidepressants-2026-05-08/

Exclusive: Kennedy's health officials explored US ban of some widely used antidepressants
WASHINGTON, May 8 (Reuters) - U.S. health department ​officials last week explored whether they could ban certain drugs in a widely prescribed class of antidepressants as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prepared to roll out a ‌plan to reduce their use, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

Their interest centered on specific treatments within a class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, such as Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro, which have been available in the U.S. for decades, one of the people said. The sources did not say which drugs were being examined for restrictions or how far the inquiries about them had advanced.
..........................
Kennedy has also, without evidence, linked SSRIs to violence, including mass shootings, and said they pose a risk to fetuses when women who are pregnant take them. Kennedy in November said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was studying whether SSRI therapies contribute to mass violence, but has not provided details on that effort.

The psychiatric association, in a statement after Kennedy's Monday announcement, said it supports plans for better research to help physicians prescribe the treatments and decide when a patient can come off them. It strongly objected "to framing the nation's mental health ​crisis as primarily a problem of 'overmedicalization' or 'overprescribing'."

[BlueKota]

35. Thank you!

He also doesn't consider that while not everyone's depression has a physical cause, for some people it does, or at least is one contributing factor. Depression ran in both sides of my family so the likelihood of a genetic link. He just unscientifically dismisses that possibility like he does the benefits of vaccinations.

Three of my cousins, and some of their off spring all are bipolar. Their father, my late uncle-by marriage was bipolar. That makes it seem fairly clear that it is an inherited illness.

[EuterpeThelo]

16. I wish

the worm, the raccoon and the whale would all reanimate and team up to go finish him.

[BlueKota]

29. Same.

[mr715]

17. He can huff and puff, it won't change your script.

Lexapro is well studied, well tolerated, and a reasonably effective treatment comparable to other SSRIs.

The HHS will issue advisory memos, and there will be fewer free pens and your doc will have to ask you if you're taking enough vitamin D or ivermectin, but then you'll get your Rx.

I get anxiety over my xanax not being renewed, which is an ouroboros of mental illness happening.

[BlueKota]

30. Thank you this helps.

I haven't had any side effects.

[DrRaskolnik]

22. Ignore RFK, Jr., Blue Kota

I'm a retired psychiatrist, BlueKota.

My advice is to stay on your regimen that works and ignore RFK, Jr.

The man is a poorly educated idiot who doesn't recognize his own ignorance.

[BlueKota]

31. Thank you.

The combination one of my doctors came up with has helped me so much. I plan to stick with it. Unfortunately she went to a different clinic, but I do trust my current psychiatrist to have my back regarding my meds.

[MustLoveBeagles]

34. I take Lexapro & Lemotragine

For anxiety and depression. The hell he's going to take it away!

[BlueKota]

36. He's a disgusting asshat.

He should be on meds, not trying to play a doctor in D.C., trying to take it away from those of us it has helped.

[LisaL]

37. A man whose brain was half eaten by the worm is in charge of our healthcare.

I will never forgive any of Trump voters for this.

[BlueKota]

41. Me either

[Sogo]

38. Your doctor should be able to advise and reassure you.

I'm wondering if you would be able to get it from Canada or Europe if it becomes banned here.

Wishing for the best outcome for you....

[BlueKota]

42. Thank you!

[GoodRaisin]

43. I have a spinal cord injury and also take Lexapro.

It helps keep me from trying to jump out of my skin.

[BlueKota]

44. They don't care how many people will be hurt

by their unscientific crusades. Not everyone was prescribed these for the same reasons, not everyone has the same side effects, and not all prescribers give them out to people who don't need them.

Hoping you and all of us who need these meds continue to be able to get them.