About
June 24, 2007 by giannakali
NOTE: Recovery Stories: have been moved to their own page.
This blog is documentation of my journey off psych meds. This is a slow and grueling process. Slow it should be. Grueling–well it seems there is no other way. I’ve been at it for three years and could have as much as another three years to go. While I’m talking about my own withdrawal process and my daily grind in general, I sprinkle in lots of other people’s stories of recovery from mental illness and I cite resources and information for anyone interested in psychiatric drug withdrawal. This site is in no way intended to be someone’s sole source of information for withdrawing from psych meds. I speak only from my own experience and am not offering advice that should be taken without professional help. That being said there is lots of information here that one could take to said professional. It is an unfortunate reality that most doctors know next to nothing about withdrawal. I’ve had to educate my psychiatrist along the way and am grateful for his trust and respect.
***The information provided on this site is educational and not intended to replace, any treatment prescribed by a licensed physician.
Please start here with this link to an update and warning
Good Sense Practice for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
For an introduction to this site and, more specifically, for multiple resources for getting support and information about withdrawal please visit the following posts:
General background:
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal for Beginners: more on psychiatric drug withdrawal here.
Water Titration for slow and controlled withdrawal
Nutrition for beginners here and here.
Supplements (just to get some ideas–further research should be done for your own individual situation)
Drug withdrawal and emotional recover By John Breeding
Clinical Trials vs. Anecdotal Evidence
15-year Follow-up Schizophrenia Study: No Drugs = Better chance at Recovery—(this is about antipsychotics—it can be applied to any psychiatric diagnosis—the neuroleptics weaken us)
Coming off Medications by Guy Holmes and Marese Hudson
Anatomy of an Epidemic: Psychiatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America By Robert Whitaker
Food for thought for anyone in the consumer movement
Lamictal Withdrawal—what has become a collection of comments from others who have been there
Recommended Books:
Your Drug May Be Your Problem: how and why to stop taking psychiatric medications By Peter Breggin
Rethinking Psychiatric Drugs: A Guide to Informed Consent By Grace Jackson (for my own review and an excerpt from the introduction see this post)
Soteria By Loren Mosher (For the website describing the study and implementation of this wonderful method of healing see here)
Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill By Robert Whitaker
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Guide by Icarus Project and the Freedom Center
Books on Diet and Nutrition: (they all are applicable to just about any mental health problem)
Depression Free Naturally: 7 weeks to Eliminating Anxiety, Despair, Fatigue, and Anger from Your Life By Joan Larson
The Mood Cure By Julia Ross
The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder By Stephanie Marohn
The Brain Chemistry Diet By Michael Lesser MD
I wish you the best of luck.
As someone who is diagosed bipolar, who has had a full psychotic episode, my life is constant journey of coping and growing with mental Health, and for almost two years this hasnt included medication. There have been set backs, and i regularly see proffessionals. But it can be done, but i am always weary of the risks.
Thanks Chris for letting me know there is yet another soul out there living without meds. If you feel up to it I’d love to hear your story. Either here or you can send me an email.
giannakali (at) gmail (dot) com
Of course, only if you choose and if you send an email it will remain private unless you indicate otherwise.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago and was put on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. I couldn’t imagine going off my meds. I know it would mean a breakdown or even suicide for me. My life was torturous hell before I was finally diagnosed and put on meds. I was given Paxil at one point, but after I lost my job I could no longer afford it. The result was disasterous as far as the side effects of withdrawal. My doctor had never warned me that Paxil could have some pretty awful withdrawal symptoms. I give you alot of credit for coping without meds and wish you all the best.
Yes, Paxil is notorious for being one of the absolute worst drugs to withdraw from. It’s downright dangerous to go cold-turkey. I hope you are doing well now. Good luck to you.
I am wondering why you made the decision to come of medication. I was diagnosed in February after a terrible mixed episode and suicide attempt. The medication I am on has helped me get back on my feet. I am terrified to stop taking medication because I never want to repeat the episode I had earlier this year. Thanks for your response. You have shown great fortitude in your struggle.
azureone,
I made the decision to come off my meds because after being on them for 20 years I was able to look back and see how they made me deteriorate over time. I was also able to see how the doctors did not ask the right questions at the time I was put on them and I was not treated appropriately. I believe this happens a lot.
I also studied alternatives and chose to treat myself without using toxic drugs.
I’ve also come to see that the pharmaceutical companies control medicine and doctors. There is not a free flow of information about what can heal us. We are not given complete information. We are made to believe that taking meds is the only way. I’ve learned that is not true and know many many people who have chosen to move away from psychiatry successfully.
If you read enough of my blog—go through the archives—– all my reasons are here.
Drugs never made me feel any better over the course of time. They made me feel worse.
that doesn’t mean I don’t still feel shitty some of the time. Everyone feels shitty some of the time.
I don’t do any of this lightly. I’ve changed my life in radical ways. I don’t advocate anyone do this without careful reflection, study, research and support.
Wow! I give you ALOT of credit for being able to get off psych drugs after 20 years. You go girl! I’ve struggled to get off and stay off the drugs since 2002 when I was “involuntarily” put on them. I also believe that the doctors did not act appropriately and neither did my family. I’ve been off all psych drugs since March of 2007, and even though I had help getting off them (titration schedule/supplements) the first 5 months were hell. In September I started seeing a new doctor (Chiropractor/Nutritionist) who was willing to look for physical problems versus labeling with mental illnesses. In his mind it didn’t add up - How could I be fine for 40 years and then turn “Bipolar” after the birth of my child. He tested and found food allergies, toxic heavy metal levels and a lack of good bacteria. With oral chelation, eliminating the allergens, daily exercise, organic food, lots of EPA/DHA, B-Vitamins and Pro-Biotics and now starting “natural psychotherapy” with a PhD Psychologist he recommended who is handling my disability case and a PhD Psychologist and Hypnotherapist who is teaching me to handle stress, I’m feeling great! I still feel fragile and am becoming very protective of myself in terms of making time for nutrition, exercise and sleep and avoiding stress, but it’s definitely working. I enjoy life again and am making great plans for 2008. I too believe you can live better without psych drugs. We’re not alone either. See http://naturalpsychotherapy.info/default.htm, Label me sane,
etc. The drift is strong, but one person can make a difference.
Don’t give in to the “there’s a pill for that” mentality. Psychiatry never “cured” anyone.
Cathy,
what a fantastic story and congratulations!! It sounds like our lifestyle choices are very similar. I take much the same sorts of nutrients too. It’s great to hear from you. thanks.
I’m looking for an MD in the Milwaukee area who will help me get off Prozac and Lamictal. Any referrals? Thanks!
Hi Carl,
Duane, one of my readers, has a good website with a ton of links with resources on the side bar….
There are referral sites for naturopaths and orthomolecular psychiatrists etc.
http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com/
Kudos to you. This is week 2 of being [nearly] med-free for me. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in August of 2004 after having been misdiagnosed with Major Depression, thusly having been on nearly every SSRI known to man. I’ve also been on a slew of mood stabilizers, and even benzos.
The reason I say “nearly” is because I remain on a low dosage of Trazodone because I cannot sleep regularly. I don’t know if this is due to the fact that my brain has now become dependent on sedative-type medications or what after having been on them for about 7 years now– all I know is that it’s very unfortunate. I have tried herbal remedies, Melatonin, exercise, etc. etc. and nothing works. If I don’t take the stupid Trazodone, I go days on end without sleep. Any advice on that one?
I am proud to say that I am off of everything else I was on though (Lamictal, Rozerem, and Wellbutrin).
I hope that one day I will truly be med-FREE 100% like you.
Hi Kristine,
Well, I’m certainly not 100% med free yet, and I have no idea if I will make it. Though I have great determination.
I understand the frustration and I’m still experiencing it in spades as I am stuck in my withdrawal just trying to stabilize enough to resume.
It sounds like you’re doing wonderfully.
I hope you’re supporting your body with healthy diet and exercise and meditation etc. It can heal more over time and you can stay healthy that way.
Staying healthy once we’ve been on these mind altering drugs takes work.
It’s good to hear from you. Congratulations and don’t worry to much about taking a bit of something to sleep from time to time. (you might want to look into inhibitory amino acids for aid—those are natural and I’m sure much better for you than the trazadone)
Be happy and healthy—-and remember you need sleep.
A small puff or two of weed before bedtime helps with sleep a lot too. And I feel better about that than taking something synthetic. Like any drug, though, it’s not without it’s disadvantages (feeling slightly slower the next day), but just occasionally when you feel like you must sleep or you’ll go nuts, it can be helpful to use anedoteally like that.
Hi Gianna, I was wondering if you’ve received an email from something called “PeoplesMD” at peoplesmd.com… they’re asking me to join something like a Health Digg site and they’ve got you up there as well.
***answered Gabriel via email.
This site is great. Fighting mental illness is really tough, especially because you feel all alone. Reading these messages helps one to not feel so alone.
My story is similar to other in many ways: I did some stronge things when having major mood swings, was put on a great deal of medication, was told I would have to take the medications forever, was given the idea that I would never have a normal life. I remember when everyone in my life gave up on me–my parents, relatives, friends, girlfriend. My pills caused some bad symptoms like severe sunburn and a 100 pound weight gain.
I’m different them some bipolars because I’ve proven all the doctors wrong by slowly getting off of my medications and staying off for decades. I’ve had a full life with education, travel, hobbies, and many awards. My life has been and is beyond my wildest dreams. By the way I lost the 100 pounds, ran 26 mile marathons and earned a black belt in martial arts.
I’ve discovered many methods to control my moods, especially exercise, yoga, self-help groups, and volunteer work.
Jim S
thank you Jim,
there are many like you out there but hardly anyone knows it. keep talking!
If you feel like writing your story for this blog I’ll post it.
Just noticed Jim does, indeed have his story here. Click on his name in the message he left to learn more about him.
Gianna,
I’m slowly making my way through your site and the many links it has. You have done a lot of good work.
Again, reading this information makes me not feel so alone or so different. I like the way you are taking your time getting off of meds. I did it the same way. I know many who quite cold turkey; they end up with major problems, plus those lose the courage to ever try to get off.
Jim S
after so many years of wrestling and being a very good, compliant patient i decided to jump ship and loose the meds. i’ve really enjoyed reading your page and the links have been so helpful!
i got a little brave and decided to start a blog page. i have no idea what in the “internet world” i’m doing but…i seemed to have run out of options with in my usual repertoire so i tried hunting around and found a bunch of great blog sites that were nothing like the “rants” i had become accustomed to reading many years ago (and the negative attitudes turned me away…there weren’t any real supportive or positive qualities…it just got me more agitated so…). i hope that as i get out of the withdrawal fog and get more intuned, i will have more experience, strenght and hope to offer and hope i can get involved in the awsome blogging community. you all have been so helpful to me.
i added your site link to my page and wanted to let you know. you have wonderful resources and i love what you have to write.
best
suzanne
http://missisyphus.wordpress.com
welcome Suzanne both to this site and to the blogosphere and best wishes on your journey. I will come visit your site soon. I get internet access at home tomorrow night….will have more time to spend on line after that.
Reading over your post I am thrilled to see the hard work you are putting in, and the healing that is going on. Yes,it is hard, but it can be done, getting off the merry go round, that one can find themselves on after signing on with a shrink: really any doctor who is tied to Big Pharma.www.naturalnews.com
No one could have covienced me that I could be totally off all prescription drugs, or that I was not indeed, extreamely Bipolar. It took me 3 years to enpower myself and to forgive, educated, and love myself. Depression, componded by antidepression is the loest common denominator for so many, at least it was for me, and with mutiple anidepressants, and mood regulaors, in my system, I was in a deep dark hole. Throw in isolation, an immediete family that took no interest in “my problem” which led to the disintergration of my family, yet another dark deep hole, my Mothers death, after a 5 year period, which corresponded with my 5 year struggle, and you get major disfunction!
We do not acknowledge differences in each other. I was shinning as a kid, untl I began school, and my uniqueness was smothered, and eventually lost. I always felt different, special and rarely did anyone seem to notice. I did not feel I had “landed” until I had my fist child, and then I was the person I always knew myself to be. 2 more within 6 years, but realizing my marriage was not what I needed, but I hugn in there. My body began to manifest, stress related illnesses, and I ended up on Zanex, for a severe spastic colon, and addicted without knowing I took 5 per day for a 2 week period. 17 days in a psychatric ward, 89, and then in 93, I began medicating, for bipolar, which I now understand was superhypersensitivity.http://www.hsperson.com
He walked out in Dec 98, and it was not until 04, that when a med change brought mania, I began my exaustive research, and began to heal. It ain’t for sissies!!!! The occassional Remeron, to help me sleep, otherwise it is all natural. Is everything perfect, NO. I am very seperated from my 3 sons, and 2 grandsons, but I have extended family[sometimes you MUST loose the disfunactional family, as each person plays a role, and until they understand that, you are the one blamed], and I have my faith, Nicherian Buddhism, which gives me strenght, and clarity of mind, I never knew possible.
And I continue to educated myself and speak to anyone who desires information. At the ripe old age of 56, I understand it is the foods you eat,Nutition, the childhood infections, and vaccines, the social issues, [I was molested before age 4] my lack of resources, and the ever ready established medical communtity, that wants to push those pills, never warning you abut the fall out. I refuse to be a guini pig any longer.
I wish I could say, I am 100%, as long as my sons are estranged from me, [an 2 grandsons] there is a place in me that will always be raw. Beause it is not natural, nor normal, but I pray…. and my strenght is renewed to my untimate goal…. helping the kids, as the epidemic of prescibing psychatric medications that do much harm.
thank you for your story Dona,
May your healing continue.
I am so lucky to have a therapist who has respected my wish to be drug-free in dealing with this. She has put me on medication (well, refered me with recomendations to the pdoc in her office) several times for very short periods, just to get me past the suicidal/dangerous manic points, then quickly weans me back off of them. She sees meds as cruches–use them to fix what’s broken, not so long you depend on them. And every time I’ve had to go on something, she has selected something mild and got me off within 6 weeks. I’ve been med free for 5 years now (except ocasional bynadryl to help me sleep), and as long as I continue with my structure that makes me take care of myself first, I hope to stay this way.