In 1991, Martin Robson was competing in a water-skiing competition and had an accident, resulting in a severe brain injury.
After spending a month in hospital, the first 11 days of that in a coma, he was discharged. The neurologists and doctors who treated him knew that his brain injury would cause certain known cognitive problems, but that most of these would heal over time.
Martin began to frequently experience anger and agitation. Prior to his accident he was a calm and composed person. His GP advised him to undergo 12 days of psychiatric evaluation to which he agreed.
The evaluation was conducted by a Dr. Brian Harris – a now disgraced psychiatrist who in 2017 was found to be secretly continuing to practice psychiatry despite being suspended under suspicion of sexual molestation of male patients.
Harris ignored the information from the neurologists and doctors who had treated Martin. He instead pursued a diagnosis based on data from consultations that had taken place with Martin’s father. Ten years earlier, Harris had treated Martin’s father for depression. Using data from that time, he proceeded to diagnose Martin with congenital mental illness which he ‘caught’ from his father. He ignored the information that Martin had brain injuries which would heal over time, insisting Martin had a mental illness that existed prior to his accident.
Based on his opinion, Harris put Martin on heavy doses of the psychiatric drug Lithium – a drug he would remain on for the next 19 years. Martin later described it as a ‘brain zapping drug’ which permanently changed his personality for the worse.
In 1993, Martin then received a physical examination from Harris. It was highly unusual as Harris got Martin to undress for the examination. He proceeded to touch Martin all over, effectively sexually molesting him. It was revealed years later that this was not an isolated case when Harris was charged with 13 counts of sexual assault of male patients.
Between 1991 and 2010, Martin saw a number of psychiatrists and psychologists, each with a very different opinion about his mental state.
The accident was life-changing. Martin says his recovery was significantly impeded by Harris’ misdiagnosis and mistreatment. He has spent much of his adult life experiencing the severe side effects of Lithium, which several other doctors have since stated was unnecessary.
Finally, in 2010, Martin saw a neuropsychiatrist who said he was not suffering from any psychiatric or neuropsychiatric illness. Martin managed to get off of Lithium realising that the drug, with its long list of side effects, was interfering with his recovery. Despite the debilitating psychiatric drugs and despite being the victim of a sexual predator, Martin’s personal strength has seen him regain control of his life without psychiatric meddling.
Martin says, “I lost 19 years of my life on Lithium and many more with my brain adjusting to being off lithium.”
We thank Martin for having the courage to share his experiences with us.
Imagine losing 19 years of your life just because a quack thought he knew better than the neurologists, real doctors and even his own patient.
Lithium is a horrific drug which causes severe mood changes along with other unwanted effects.
In regards to the molestation I can’t imagine a worse betrayal by someone who was SUPPOSED to have helped.
If anything I am impressed by this man’s courage in coming forward and exposing what he was subjected to.
Thank you for that Tom, there are some humans out there.
Hello Martin. I don’t know if you will get this message but in around 2008 I had a consultation with Brian Harris in SPIRE Cardiff of a sinister nature. I have heard there should’ve been a retrial from his court case but this would be delayed. Would it be worth me coming forward?
I started work in Whitchurch hospital in 1972, Brian Harris was already well known to have a fondness for young men and there was a unwritten policy not to leave him alone with any patient. Numerous incidents occurred over the years but consultants in those years were almost untouchable, he wriggled out of all the claims of abuse and malpractice, until of course 2017.
How did he get away with it for 40 years when we all knew about it? I guess his status as a consultant.
It would be good if a lot more people came forward with their honest experiences of Brian Benjamin Harris, then maybe a new trial. If and a very big if that does happen and the CPS pull their socks up, then there can only be one verdict. GUILTY. Well if nothing else he had his Medical Licence removed permanently, because he was still practising and seeing patients from his home Clinic, whilst his Licence was suspended by the GMC while he was on Police Bail as investigations were still on going. The nerve of the man and he was still advertising his services at that time on the Web.
As I have already said I was on that Brain Zapping Drug Lithium for 19 years, and then I stopped taking it, and now 11 years later I am still slowly returning to my old self. The Lithium hindered my recovery from the accident, I have had no apology from the NHS, in fact they stand by Harris diagnosis. I have been assessed by a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and a Professor of Psychiatry, and both admit that I do not suffer from a Psychiatric or Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. I can never let this matter drop. Life can be a “Bitch” sometimes. How many other people out there have been mis-diagnosed, who is there to help them.
He was found guilty with the assault on myself, but this was quashed some months later.
Hi Matt sorry for not getting back to you, it is good you have said what you have. However seeing the way the trial was weighted to one side, you alone would not be enough. Harris QC in his summing up of my testimony stated whilst looking at the jury, that in his opinion Harris was right with his diagnosis of me. That is not what Seth Mensah Consultant Neuropsychiatrist said in 2012 in his assessment of me , and Professor of Psychiatry stated in his assessment of me in 2014, but who the hell are they!!! The CPS QC after being on the case for over five years was ill at the last!!! and a Barrister replaced her!!! knowing nothing. I feel like the little boy pushing his finger in the leaking dam, but it keeps pouring out..
I was treated by Harris for 2 years – 2008 to 2010 approx – firstly via Spires hospital in Cardiff then at his home in Llandaff, cash in hand.
Whilst I did not experience any inappropriate behaviour – he did misdiagnose me and I also ended up on cocktails of ever increasing powerful psych meds, including lithium and antipsychotics.
I cannot put into words what I endured with regards to the side effects and withdrawal, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever fully recovered.
All of which I now now that I didn’t need, after being diagnosed with Autism (ASD) at a later date …..