We need to ask what does it mean when people say that psych meds “work?”… Because when they “work” that does not change that they are also neurotoxic substances that often gravely harm people – sometimes to the point of death. (not altogether rarely, either) See also: 3rd leading cause of death: WESTERN MEDICINE
For me, this fact is held together with the fact that if other options are not offered there can be no reasonable judgement against those who, in a system that doesn’t offer choice, choose to use these drugs.
As often as the drugs “stop creeping paranoia, psychotic suicidal alienation, severe depression, acute mania, mixed episodes, etc ” they also cause these things…so, again, what does it mean to say that they “work” — they most certainly make people feel differently. Sometimes feeling differently is experienced as a great relief….others it’s quite the opposite…they are a crap-shoot at best and sometimes a dangerous lottery…this is largely denied by the mainstream and the medical field, in general and as long as it’s denied people cannot make meaningful, fully informed choices. That, then, is the real problem along with the fact that there is no infrastructure of care that supports alternative options and choices.
More on topic:
- To be or not to be on psych meds
- I was a psychiatric success story
- What to say when folks don’t believe how the drugs have harmed us
- The drugs don’t work: a modern medical scandal (video included)
And
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*it is potentially dangerous to come off medications without careful planning. Please be sure to be well educated before undertaking any sort of discontinuation of medications. If your MD agrees to help you do so, do not assume they know how to do it well even if they claim to have experience. They are generally not trained in discontinuation and may not know how to recognize withdrawal issues. A lot of withdrawal issues are misdiagnosed to be psychiatric problems. This is why it’s good to educate oneself and find a doctor who is willing to learn with you as your partner in care. Really all doctors should always be willing to do this as we are all individuals and need to be treated as such. See: Psychiatric drug withdrawal and protracted withdrawal syndrome round-up
It’s become clear to me that whenever it’s possible that it’s helpful for folks who’ve not begun withdrawal and have the time to consider a carefully thought out plan to attempt to bring greater well-being to your body before starting the withdrawal. That means learning how to profoundly nourish your body/mind and spirit prior to beginning a withdrawal. For suggestions on how to go about doing that check the drop-down menus on this blog for ideas. Anything that helps you learn how to live well can be part of your plan. That plan will look different for everyone as we learn to follow our hearts and find our own unique paths in the world. Things to begin considering are diet, exercise and movement, meditation/contemplation etc. Paying attention to all these things as you do them helps too. The body will start letting us know what it needs as we learn to pay attention.
For a multitude of ideas about how to create a life filled with safe alternatives to psychiatric drugs visit the drop-down menus at the top of this page.
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