Let's Talk Withdrawal

This week, I interview Doctor Peter Groot from the User Research Center of the Maastricht University. As some of you may know, I have been running a petition for some time to raise awareness of something called ‘tapering kits’. Very simply, tapering kits are tablets in decreasing dosages that would help users who wanted to withdraw from their psychiatric drugs to do so safely and in a controlled way.

Recently, I was contacted by Dr. Peter Groot from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Dr. Groot and his colleagues in the Cinderella Therapeutics Foundation have invested considerable time in researching and creating exactly what my petition refers to. They have created Tapering Strips, which are a method by which users of many classes of psychiatric drug can safely withdraw. Dr. Groot and his colleagues have been able to provide tapering strips to more than 2,000 Dutch patients to help them withdraw from their medications safely. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear that this solution had been created and was actually helping and supporting users of antidepressant drugs. Dr. Groot kindly took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about his own experiences with antidepressants, his approach when creating tapering strips and some of the difficulties encountered along the way.

#antidepressants #antipsychotics #benzodiazepines #withdrawal #tapering #mental health

This week we interview David who has taken antidepressant drugs on and off over the last few years. David talks about his experiences of the mental healthcare system, how he has been supported by his medications and how and why he went about stopping his drugs.

#antidepressants #antipsychotics #benzodiazepines #withdrawal #tapering #mental health

This week we talk to Meghann from the USA. Meghann describes starting antidepressant drugs for OCD at the age of 9, how she came to consider her withdrawal after 17 years and how she feels now, 2 years after finishing with the drugs.

#antidepressants #antipsychotics #benzodiazepines #withdrawal #tapering #mental health

This week we interview Dr. Gary Sidley. Dr. Sidley worked within NHS mental health services for 33 years in a variety of nursing, psychological and managerial roles. In the 1980s he was employed as a psychiatric nurse at a large asylum in Manchester, commencing his clinical psychology training in 1987. Subsequently, he worked as a clinical psychologist in community mental health services, inpatient units and GP practices, as well as with Senior Management positions. Gary is now a freelance writer and trainer with an interest in promoting alternatives to bio-medical psychiatry as ways of responding to human suffering.

In 2015, Gary published the Book Tales from the Madhouse, in which he clearly lays out the scientific evidence against current psychiatric practices, going on to illustrate key points with beautifully written, poignant, at times deeply shocking stories from his years of experience.

His stories leave us in no doubt that medically lead practices impact negatively on those in the care of mental health services.

#antidepressants #antipsychotics #benzodiazepines #withdrawal #tapering #mental health

This week we interview Stevie who describes her experiences taking antidepressant drugs and her severe and protracted reaction to trying to withdraw. She also tells us about the help and support she received and what approaches she took to support herself during the most difficult times.

#antidepressants #antipsychotics #benzodiazepines #withdrawal #tapering #mental health