Sarastar4, thank you for your comments. I agree that the way it worked for me is not the same for everyone. In sharing our individual experiences we can only speak for ourselves, but in pooling our experiences we can see the similarities and differences, and perhaps learn something from each other. A point I keep making is that one size does not fit all.
I couldn’t agree more that before anyone attempts to come off medication, they need to be well informed. I did the same as you the first time that I tried to come off. I was naive about medication and I didn’t know that coming off all at once is dangerous. I knew nothing about the possibility of a withdrawal syndrome and I found out the hard way. If I had listened to these kind of debates first, and done my research (though this was back in the seventies when apparently much less was known about it), I could have saved myself a lot of difficulty. Monica Cassani has written what I think is a very good article about this. I don’t know if this link to it works. Maybe it will if you copy and paste it into your browser. http://beyondmeds.com/2013/04/16/stop-taking-your-drugs/
Activists are often accused of not presenting a balanced view in relation to medication. But it could equally be argued that many people who are pro-medication don’t present a balanced view. So what is ‘balanced’? The discussion then gets polarised into those ‘for’ or ‘against’, whereas the whole issue is really more complex than that.
As I said, I’ve found that debate about important issues surround medication is often shut down by cries of ‘Pill shaming!’ and the like, which saddens me as it gets us all nowhere. I can only reiterate that: Criticising the use of medication does not automatically amount to criticising people who take it. Debate is needed, with everyone’s views listened to and their right to their views respected.
Many thanks to everyone who has commented here. (Sorry some of my replies came up in the wrong place. I don’t know what I did wrong. I’m scared now to press the Post Comment button in case this one comes up somewhere in the middle!).
It’s a bit like the old saying, ‘Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves.’ The more they make their accusations the more obvious it becomes that if anyone is doing the shaming, it is them.
Yes, ‘antidepressants’ is a misleading term, too. I made this point on twitter several days ago and was ridiculed for it. But I do think it’s a legitimate point that deserves consideration.
Thanks for your comment ssnerch. I see what you mean. I’m trying to get the balance right between respecting those who hold different views from mine while, at the same time, expressing my own views clearly.
How wonderful it would be if forced treatment was abolished and if psychiatrists started actually listening to what their patients say. Some psychiatrists here in the UK are challenging the old established coercive methods and are listening to their patients, but they’re still a minority. I suppose all we can do as patients or survivors is keep chipping away at the wall until, hopefully, it falls.
Depression, despair, deep suffering and distress – whatever we call it, it’s very real. In the past few days especially, I’ve come across people who have tried to silence me by insinuating that I don’t understand it is ‘real’, have never truly experienced it and should therefore STFU. This is rubbish. We have to keep speaking our truths loudly and clearly, though this can be hard and frustrating when people get defensive and twist what we’re saying.
Alix, I’m sorry that psychiatric medication did so much harm to your family. The damage these drugs can cause is horrific, and yet doctors still prescribe them so freely. I’m glad you found my book interesting. Although my psychiatric treatment took place a long time ago, I know from my work with a mental health charity that people are still being harmed in similar ways by psychiatry today.
The drug companies have a lot to answer for. And, yes, standing alone when raising these questions can be very stressful and discouraging. As you say, it’s best if at all possible to link up with others who can understand and support us.
Replying to B now. It used to be said that antidepressants didn’t cause withdrawal reactions. But they do. Like for the person you mention, these can wrongly be taken as confirmation that they need to keep taking the drugs. More honest info is needed.
It’s frustrating when people think that questioning and challenging psych drugs means being critical of those who use them. I don’t see myself as an ‘anti drugs crusader’ but I do feel that, for many people, safer options are needed.
It’s frustrating when people think that questioning and challenging psych drugs means being critical of those who take them. I don’t see myself as an ‘anti drug crusader’ but I do feel that for many people, safer options are needed.
Sarastar4, thank you for your comments. I agree that the way it worked for me is not the same for everyone. In sharing our individual experiences we can only speak for ourselves, but in pooling our experiences we can see the similarities and differences, and perhaps learn something from each other. A point I keep making is that one size does not fit all.
I couldn’t agree more that before anyone attempts to come off medication, they need to be well informed. I did the same as you the first time that I tried to come off. I was naive about medication and I didn’t know that coming off all at once is dangerous. I knew nothing about the possibility of a withdrawal syndrome and I found out the hard way. If I had listened to these kind of debates first, and done my research (though this was back in the seventies when apparently much less was known about it), I could have saved myself a lot of difficulty. Monica Cassani has written what I think is a very good article about this. I don’t know if this link to it works. Maybe it will if you copy and paste it into your browser.
http://beyondmeds.com/2013/04/16/stop-taking-your-drugs/
Activists are often accused of not presenting a balanced view in relation to medication. But it could equally be argued that many people who are pro-medication don’t present a balanced view. So what is ‘balanced’? The discussion then gets polarised into those ‘for’ or ‘against’, whereas the whole issue is really more complex than that.
As I said, I’ve found that debate about important issues surround medication is often shut down by cries of ‘Pill shaming!’ and the like, which saddens me as it gets us all nowhere. I can only reiterate that: Criticising the use of medication does not automatically amount to criticising people who take it. Debate is needed, with everyone’s views listened to and their right to their views respected.
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Many thanks to everyone who has commented here. (Sorry some of my replies came up in the wrong place. I don’t know what I did wrong. I’m scared now to press the Post Comment button in case this one comes up somewhere in the middle!).
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It’s a bit like the old saying, ‘Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves.’ The more they make their accusations the more obvious it becomes that if anyone is doing the shaming, it is them.
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Yes, ‘antidepressants’ is a misleading term, too. I made this point on twitter several days ago and was ridiculed for it. But I do think it’s a legitimate point that deserves consideration.
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B, I like your sentence, ‘The fight against psychiatric abuse is part of a bigger picture in a fight for a better society overall.’ Yes.
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Thanks for your comment ssnerch. I see what you mean. I’m trying to get the balance right between respecting those who hold different views from mine while, at the same time, expressing my own views clearly.
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How wonderful it would be if forced treatment was abolished and if psychiatrists started actually listening to what their patients say. Some psychiatrists here in the UK are challenging the old established coercive methods and are listening to their patients, but they’re still a minority. I suppose all we can do as patients or survivors is keep chipping away at the wall until, hopefully, it falls.
Report comment
Depression, despair, deep suffering and distress – whatever we call it, it’s very real. In the past few days especially, I’ve come across people who have tried to silence me by insinuating that I don’t understand it is ‘real’, have never truly experienced it and should therefore STFU. This is rubbish. We have to keep speaking our truths loudly and clearly, though this can be hard and frustrating when people get defensive and twist what we’re saying.
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B, yes, an important point. People can’t make an informed choice without honest, reliable information.
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Alix, I’m sorry that psychiatric medication did so much harm to your family. The damage these drugs can cause is horrific, and yet doctors still prescribe them so freely. I’m glad you found my book interesting. Although my psychiatric treatment took place a long time ago, I know from my work with a mental health charity that people are still being harmed in similar ways by psychiatry today.
Report comment
The drug companies have a lot to answer for. And, yes, standing alone when raising these questions can be very stressful and discouraging. As you say, it’s best if at all possible to link up with others who can understand and support us.
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Thanks for your comments. I’ve replied to you in the wrong place below (and it’s come on twice for some reason). Can’t get the hang of technology!
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Replying to B now. It used to be said that antidepressants didn’t cause withdrawal reactions. But they do. Like for the person you mention, these can wrongly be taken as confirmation that they need to keep taking the drugs. More honest info is needed.
Report comment
It’s frustrating when people think that questioning and challenging psych drugs means being critical of those who use them. I don’t see myself as an ‘anti drugs crusader’ but I do feel that, for many people, safer options are needed.
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Oh, sorry, I put my above message in the wrong place. It was in reply to the first message from Copy Cat.
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It’s frustrating when people think that questioning and challenging psych drugs means being critical of those who take them. I don’t see myself as an ‘anti drug crusader’ but I do feel that for many people, safer options are needed.
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