Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

Ep 1278 | Former FDA Official Unveils Pharma’s Shocking Lies About Depression | Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring

Dec 12, 2025
Guest
Josef Witt-Doerring
Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a former FDA medical officer and psychiatrist, exposes the troubling realities of psychiatric medications. He critiques SSRIs for their emotional blunting and long-term dependency risks. The conversation highlights how quick diagnoses often overshadow holistic care. Josef discusses the pressure for 'quick-fix' prescriptions and how the pharmaceutical industry downplays drug risks. He advocates for a more balanced approach to mental health, emphasizing nutrition, sleep, and therapy through his initiative, TaperClinic.
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INSIGHT

Psychiatry As A Conveyor Belt

  • Josef Witt-Doerring observed psychiatry functioning like a conveyor belt that diagnoses by checklist and defaults to medication.
  • He found this reductionist model discouraged deeper inquiry into patients' lives and causes of distress.
INSIGHT

Tolerance, Stacking, And Waning Benefits

  • Witt-Doerring reported SSRIs often lose effect over months and prompt dose escalation and polypharmacy.
  • He observed long-term patients becoming blunted, sedated, and sexually impaired while still labeled as worsening illness.
INSIGHT

Diagnosis Is Largely Symptom-Based

  • Depression diagnosis relies on arbitrary symptom checklists (DSM criteria) without biological tests.
  • Witt-Doerring emphasizes there is no blood or brain test that objectively confirms 'low serotonin'.
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