The Challenge of going off psych meds

[janterry]

This is a great article in the New Yorker that follows the narrative of a woman who grew up in a privileged family, went to Harvard, and over time was increasingly over diagnosed and over medicated. And her behavior became more and more pathological.

Very interesting. For years, most of us who work in the field have seen this up close and have worried about it endlessly. But the push from the right (the medical model) is very strong. Certainly, it has helped many. But it's clear that many others have been harmed.

The Challenge of Going Off Psychiatric Drugs
Millions of Americans have taken antidepressants for many years. What happens when it’s time to stop?

By Rachel Aviv
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teen-ager, Laura Delano was prescribed nineteen medications in fourteen years.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-challenge-of-going-off-psychiatric-drugs

[safeinOhio]

1. Eery time my doc want to start me on meds,

I always tell him I want the lowest dose for the shortest time. I now suffer tremors from antidepressants I took many years ago.

[kpete]

2. very insightful article

thank you,
kp

[JesterCS]

3. God I couldn't stop taking mine

I take Celexa for depression and social Anxiety. I once ran out for 2 weeks waiting on a Dr appt. I was a wreck

[janterry]

4. The science behind that is getting better

For years, we told folks it was their psych. symptoms coming back. In fact, it's called the 'rebound effect.'

Not everyone should get off meds - but from what we now know - those that want to/should
the titration schedule could be 6 months to a year or MORE. (Some people titrate for 2 or 3 years!)

[marble falls]

5. Just read it. Its the product of our more is better society. And also the inability to understand ..

the concept of unexpected consequences.

Interestingly enough this is also being considered in cancer treatment, that medicines that can't cure cancer in health damaging quantities can actually prolong life longer at a better quality by lowering doses and even stopping use of some of them.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Rather, it's product of Republicon Big Pharma profit motivations. Some good, more maybe not better.

[cally]

6. Very important to read

These drugs need to be looked at more fully

[Bayard]

7. Celexa and Lamictal believer

That seems to be the magic formula for my bipolar illness. I had been tried on a number of other things that just didn't get it, with horrifying consequences.

I look at it like I do diabetes or any other chronic condition. You want to stay alive, you take the meds. I also believe in the chemical imbalance theory, and that it is somewhat hereditary. There have been too many suicides and major depression in my family.

[kimbutgar]

8. My son was on Prozac for years we switched him to Zoloft and now have weaned him off that

It’s been two weeks and I do see a small change for the better in his behavior.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. Now instead saying an opponent is "off their meds", perhaps we should say "they are over-medicated"