I watched most of this program today. Whitaker's thesis is that studies both in the US and abroad show that mentally ill people do less well in the long term when they are maintained on medications than if they are off of medication. He specifically mentioned studies on schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorders. These are outcomes that have been referred to here on Psych Central in some forums before. Psychosocial interactions seem to be much more beneficial in the long term than medication.