Whose Voice?
Schizophrenia Digest Lets Drug Makers Speak

By Sandra G. Boodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 3, 2003; Page HE01

A new quarterly magazine replete with direct-to-consumer ads for psychiatric
drugs is set to debut this week, aimed at the estimated 2.5 million Americans
who suffer from schizophrenia, one of the most serious and disabling mental
illnesses.

The publisher of the 44-page magazine called Schizophrenia Digest is William J.
MacPhee, a Canadian businessman who was diagnosed with the disabling thought
and mood disorder 16 years ago, when he was 24. MacPhee, who is married and the
father of an infant, has recovered from his illness; he said he continues to
take an antipsychotic drug to control some symptoms of schizophrenia, which
include hallucinations, delusions and severe depression.

The magazine's editor does not have schizophrenia, nor do many of its
contributing writers, MacPhee said. The magazine's motto, "Inspiration and
Information," reflects its emphasis on ways to cope with the disorder,
including prayer and spirituality and the importance of taking prescribed
medication. Other articles include one on overcoming the stigma of mental
illness and reports on new developments in schizophrenia research.

Full text
http://tinyurl.com/dc5d