psychiatric | Diary of a Predator

Tag Archives: psychiatric

by Amy Herdy | May 4, 2018 · 11:01 am

Reader: I’m starting with this woman and moving forwards

Hi Amy,

I hope this email reaches you well. I’ve been checking into the blog and reading some great responses, as Brent advised; I’m so pleased that your message and efforts are gaining momentum…

I was moved by Brent’s last response and remain inspired by his self examination, exploration and willingness to change his position/perception. It is his response that gives me the (albeit uneducated) belief that he is not all ‘pathological predator’ and has access to his own capacity of mind or freedom of choice and will. I’m sure psychiatric opinion and even Brent himself would disagree with that belief.

My last response to Brent via the blog was delayed and my explanation to him was intentionally somewhat vague. I’m particularly mindful of a boundary between sharing my experience and ’emotional dumping’ on either you or Brent. The latter I’m not up for in the slightest. I have no expectation of either of you to facilitate, enable or otherwise be responsible for my healing: I’m inspired regardless.

Recently, the outcome of a high profile rape case was published, you may have heard of it. The Belfast Rape Case is currently doing the rounds in the UK media, where 2 rugby players were found not guilty of raping a young woman. Since then, there has been a public social media focus on the “bragging and mysogynistic” texts between these 2 individuals and others after the event. Details of these conversations were shared in court to the extent that certain slang terms such as “spit roasting” had to be explained to the judge and jury. It was these details that particularly sicken me. The outcome of case & verdict serve to assure me I was right to keep quiet 20 years ago and save myself and my family from public shame..

For this case relates so closely to my experience of being raped at both ends while at University by two visiting ‘hockey heros’ who found their own particular way to top their winning night and become ‘legends of the locker room’, by engaging in sex with someone so inebriated as to have been incapable of providing consent, were it to have been sought.

I’ve sporadically dipped into the progress of this case with mixed feelings of injustice, morbid curiosity, disbelief and anger that this behaviour still goes unacknowledged. I’m convinced this is the tip of the iceberg. I kept quiet about it 20 years and from the outcome of this case, it seems I was wise to do so. How many other vulnerable women (and men) will be encouraged to do the same?

I recall that you covered and wrote extensively about this very rotten issue across Universities and in the Military, particularly. It saddens and angers me that this practice is so widespread: 20 years on from my experience, young women remain vulnerable and unheard. Men meanwhile, remain left with the message that this is standard behaviour to be ignored at best and or rewarded by these locker room louts masquerading as “sporting legends” at worst.

To prevent this happening to just one woman, man or child to lift the burden of their shame and self enduced life sentence would be incredible… this is my intention. I’m starting with this woman and moving forwards from there…

The last couple of months have been pretty dark, and I haven’t felt partucularly courageous or hopeful following the outcome of that case. Hence, I havent been in touch, while I deal with this emotional trigger and move forwards.

I just wanted to reassure you that I remain passionate and willing about supporting you and Brent in any way I can: for your message that so inspired me, to grow and contribute to tipping the balance.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Emily

April 13, 2018

psychiatric patients fighting globally for human rights & better treatment protocols

Reader Comment: I sure object to the listing of NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) under the resource column on the left of the screen. NIMH does not address issues of trauma and only seeks to medicalize human experience- the disease model. NIMH would tell you Brent Brents was born with a biological disease that caused him to do the things he did, and would discount his early life experiences completely. Psychiatry, despite all evidence to the contrary, is intent on proving this model, which we fight against. I am a member of the CSX movement, psychiatric patients fighting globally for human rights & better treatment protocols, and I reference your book ALL THE TIME in our dialogues. (not to mention I lived in Denver at the the time, and also worked at 6th Avenue Pets) I plan to bring you & the book up tomorrow night (02.21) on BlogTalk Radio, Late Night with a Hero, which is why I came over to take a look at your website). –Amy Smith

Hi, Amy,

Thank you for the thoughtful feedback. I did not realize that distinction; I have now removed NIMH from the website.

It’s very gratifying that you have used the book and the website to help raise awareness. Brents would be glad as well–I will let him know.

Regards,

Amy Herdy

We are, as a people, frustrated and outraged at every step of the way. We have few basic human rights (in Colorado, a person can be taken from their home in the middle of the night, with no information given to anyone regarding possible destination, with no due process, and can be held for five business days, which can span two weekends in some circumstances), our treatment protocols are driven by industry greed like no other, with little science to back up the subjective, nebulous criteria in the DSM, treatment guidelines or suggested medical protocols. The drugs are addictive, seriously damaging, and cause serious comorbid disease. New treatments in the pipeline are even worse- implants, shock & surgery- ALL with absolutely no valid or robust scientific foundation. It is appalling, but no one really cares about us much and we are very expensive.

The industry lies with impunity (no such thing as a chemical imbalance, for example) and now, states are using fear-driven tactics to grow the infrastructure. There are bills pending in front of the U.S. legislature that have the stated intent of pre-emptively incarcerating up to one in five citizens who are “mentally ill” but dont know it! The FDA is attempting to declassify shock devices and redacting ALL of the negative comments of survivors of shock and making the requirements for reporting so arduous it is difficult to get a single word to them- and then they delete it! I have friends who have already left the United States and many more who are planning on it if the situation gets much worse.

The worse part is that trauma treatment protocols DO work, as do many socially-oriented programs and simple social supports. Brent’s statement to the readers at the beginning of the book is one of the most important statements that can be spoken in the world today, and if all took heed, psychiatry would be eliminated in two generations. There is no biological disease; it is trauma. Even NIMH’s data show that, but they disregard, so I TRULY appreciate you taking that down. I know some trauma resources, if you are interested, to refer folks to.

Thank you for being so responsive, and THANK YOU for writing Diary of a Predator. –Amy Smith, director of MindFreedom Colorado