Alas, I can say I've improved. What does improvement mean when I still can't stand for more than ten minutes, I cannot drive, I am so weak that phone conversations or company wears me out within 1/2 an hour and that's when I'm doing well? What does improvement mean when I wake up nauseous and... Continue Reading →
Gianna on Madness Radio
Will Hall interviewed me for Madness Radio in early December 2008. Listen here: The interview deals with my experience being a psychiatric survivor and takes a look at the work I've been doing with this blog. Since December a few things have happened. I am indeed, now, completely housebound. I can no longer drive. I remain... Continue Reading →
A most important post for anyone contemplating psychiatric drug withdrawal
In a response to a post the other day about the horrors of Cymbalta, a drug which among many other awful things is also awful to withdraw from, as are all psychotropics potentially, I got this comment. I’m working on a taper off Cymbalta, been on it for a bit more than two years, and... Continue Reading →
Exercise now prescribed before antidepressants among a significant minority of docs in Britain
Hopefully this trend will continue and it would be nice to know if it's happening here as well. Every little bit helps. Just imagine how many people can be saved from being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a result of using antidepressants it they simply stop being used! From the The Gaurdian: Antidepressants are not... Continue Reading →
Brief update—in search of homecare
Things continue to be rough with the Valium crossover. I stopped until I stabilized a few days ago and then cut by only .125 mg of Klonopin and added 2.5 mg of the corresponding equivalency of Valium. I've been pretty out of it again and I cut the dose of the exchange in half and... Continue Reading →
A controversial Canadian supplement works for this woman
I don't like endorsing products and this is not an endorsement, but it is the story of a woman whose experience I believe. And it is in fact a "bipolar" recovery story. A case of someone lacking necessary nutrients. Products like EmpowerPlus are what I call "shot-gun" approaches. They may work very well for some... Continue Reading →
Finding the Right Healers for My Withdrawal Journey
Update 2026: This post predates my learning more about the importance of slow, methodical withdrawal. I started withdrawing when the online scene was just learning what was possible! It's hard to believe how many voices are out there now. This was first posted in 2008. The internet was brand new , really and totally different than it is now, both. This site was where people went for withdrawal info. Here and a few forums and/or email groups that are mostly all gone now. Given that I didn't yet know how protracted my situation would be I was still looking for professionals to work with. I did find a few gems but ultimately learned that my journey would be one of learning to trust mself and listen to my body. Nature would be my primary guide. So what's happening in my journey lately?
“Madness” as a spiritual and awakening journey
A reader passed on this piece to me in an email. I wrote the author and asked permission to publish it here. I highly recommend you look at his entire website. The man is doing truly inspired and wondrous work that had it's inception in a spiritual emergency that he writes about below. Another version... Continue Reading →
Neurofeedback—a tool for recovery
I posted this the first month of my blog. It's another one of my reposts for all my new readers. It's been slightly edited to reflect my current situation: Updated and lightly edited 1/2009 So...you may ask...what is neurofeedback? That is a good question and I will try to give a reasonable answer. You can... Continue Reading →
Yes, recovery can be lasting and real
Part of the reason some people are so skeptical about real and complete recoveries is because a lot of people who achieve it move on. The don't hang around the mental health blogosphere and most of them don't go into working in mental health like I probably will. Most of them go off and live... Continue Reading →
Two little stories
I've lost twenty pounds now but I don't feel good about it. I've lost my appetite almost completely and that is not a good thing. My favorite activity in life has been cooking. Strangely enough, mostly through habit, I continue to cook when I am strong enough to stand through the process. The other reason... Continue Reading →
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