I am not doing well trying to get off klonopin and lexapro, while my son is being tormented by psychiatry and torture chambers called hospitals. He is home now but completely sedated. Meanwhile, I took in my elderly mother to care for. As her health declined, I was no longer able to care for her only because of me tapering off these meds! I feel awful. I cannot be of help to anyone. It has been 26 years for me and only started with panic attacks at age 32 - so I am now 58 and feel my life is basically over. I hope my son can have success getting away from psychiatry as you have been able to do.
I teared up watching this man. Hits so close to home. I know about that feeling when your passion is destroyed/numbed. I feel it too. This is such a challenge to overcome. You inspired me so much when my prozac withdrawal began. I almost lost all my imagination/visualisation at first, and it took almost 1.5 years to recover. Now I want to recover my emotions and for head pressure to subside. You give me such inspiration brother, I’m infinitely grateful to find your channel. Thank you so, so much.
I feel the same way. I'm thinking of coming off of lexapro. Been on it since I was 14. I turn 30 this year. You're the only person I know who has described the brain fog and brain damage like feelings I have. I'm a mom and I worry about how long it will take me to go back to normal coming off of them. It's unfair to them. 😔 it's really frustrating.
Hey Michelle, It's an incredibly difficult decision to make. If we had the support and infrastructure we deserve, the ripple effect would be greatly reduced (as would the impact on our own lives). Hopefully that time is coming in the not-too-distant future. That doesn't make things any easier for us in the here and now, but we do have more info and online help and communities than we had years ago. It _is_ progress and it makes a big difference for those embarking on this journey. (There was comparatively very little available for most of my taper. That really raised the fear and uncertainty levels!) It's also important to make those feel welcome who want to come off their meds but for various reasons, decide now isn't the best time. They're part of this community too. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will feel supported in your decision. Much love to you and your family! (And sorry for the delay in replying.)
I'm 36 I've been dealing with mental health issues since I was 13. Now I've got physical issues too. I know what it feels like to be left behind. No friends, family moved on. Everyone has degrees and money. I'm a stay at home dad now so at least I have that.
I really love this channel. It’s good to hear about how your life has begun to improve. I’m coming off psych meds right now and it’s been rough, but these videos have been encouraging.
Glad u still doing great bro Its 3 years and half off antipsychotics myself , things are slowly improving and keeping busy is a key Losses are too many mainly work and relationships plans ...we have our life back bro , keep going 👌🏻
@@CREEKSTx3 I'm not who you wanted an answer from, but even if we're not exactly alike, I can give you my own comment. I was on risperidone, bupropion (Wellbutrin), and a benzo at the same time. Dr. thought it would be cool to just lower the antidepressant and pull me off risperidone with NO taper! I didn't know any better, plus the benzo numbs things out. But, one thing of many side effects I was done with was the sexual side effect. Downright unable to function is what it was. Any SSRI does the same thing to me, within 2 days. But, things went back to normal with that within a couple of weeks. I never did come off of the benzo. I'm hoping and planning though.
@@CREEKSTx3 I'm sorry, TH-cam just NOW told me I had a reply! I hardly ever leave any either. I've never been on Abilify. The Risperidone didn't cause any sex issues, neither did Wellbutrin. Only SSRIs, (Prozac, Buspar, Zoloft). Even herbals like St. John's Wort acts like a full SSRI. Everything was back to normal right after tapering off, and I've tapered off a few times. My husband went right back to normal also. Still depressed, but the antidepressants weren't working anyway. 😕 A depressed person doesn't need side effects on top of it. Hope everyone is doing well, I mean as well as possible considering the world lately.
@Shamara Thomas - I don't think anyone completely heals from the long term damage of Psych meds. Plus, you have the underlying untreated illness that you were prescribed medication in the first place for to deal with. Have you ever heard a success story where someone has come off their meds, completely healed, & gone onto realize their life goals?
It's very encouraging to see a full recovery. It's almost never been done. I'm excited to be normal after this 25 year Hiatus is ended. (It will be 25 years unless i have medicines FOR the anti psychotics I was prescribed.)
@John Jeck It's important to keep in mind that there are many more successes than we'll ever hear about. Most people who succeed never share it with the world. Certainly not publicly. Even folks who were active on forums, or passed through this Russell B community, and then finished coming off their psych meds and have stayed off them, simply get on with their lives and focus on carving out their little spaces in the world. It's kinda like most areas in life: we hear more from the people who are still having negative experiences than those who are having positive ones. But they are definitely out there!
You are sa-hooou sweet Russell, so soft and tender. Extremely precious! And keep sharing your experiences and development. Me, as a likewise sufferer from psychiatry and "medications" really value your content and I'm sure there are a hella lot more of us (: Merry Christmas and the best of a year 2020
Omg! You look like your doing awesomely well! That’s so encouraging. I need it too. I’m 51 years old. I’m doing Lamictal withdrawal right now. I was a pro am photographer and learning the new cameras, programs etc, seems overwhelming. Learning anything new seems like a huge challenge. Keep at it dude, you can do it..you are doing it! Everyday, your doing it. Don’t let one moment define the next. Embrace it and let it go. Yeah, I know, psych meds really really suck and so do the disorders. Just live your values and it seems like you are. I hope in my lifetime I can get to where you are. I have epilepsy too though. I don’t know if I’ll ever be completely medication free but I’m aiming for as close as possible to the lowest dosages and any small triumph is worth celebrating, even if it’s just getting up and making the bed and doing basic self care. That’s hard to admit but the disorders can be that debilitating and the meds..I don’t know which is worse. The river is long and winding, my paddle is a heavy weight and my craft easy to be overturned in turbulence but I know how to swim well and minimally I can tread water until I find the lifeline. I want so much to live and fully enjoy my creativity and I too became flat, wondered where did my imagination go, my creative ideas that brought purpose to my life. Thanks for sharing. You never know whose life you inspire, maybe even save. I hear the struggle in your voice but it’s truth but you have a much healthier and vibrant glow about you than previous videos. You have made it back from where few never come. That is an amazing accomplishment. Peace to you. Be kind to yourself. Don’t look too hard and get discouraged for what you are seeking is also seeking you.
You have so many viewers now😃. Thank you for giving hope to us. I will come off the psych drugs next year. Hopefully it will be successful too. Looking forward to more videos.
Merry Christmas, Russell. Lots of love and hugs to you. I’m so proud of you so proud of you. You give me so much hope I lose hope a lot of times because I don’t see any success stories especially ones from cold turkey
I got Psychosis from THC back in 2021 October 9th and was on rispirdome from that time period all the way to may the 9th 2022, coming of I lost so much weight could have more mental clarity stating exercise and doing the thing I loved doing before all this hit, then in August I went into hyper mania and was on aripiprazole for that time all the way to December (as i write this). Im of it now due to how I felt on it and how much I missed out on my stuff before going on it (running, muai thai and the main one feeling good) but yours story and how long you were on it wow I could resonate and felt what you were saying missing out of the things you love is so hard, so glad your at least doing the things you love now I understand partly your frustration keep going man your a strong person!
Glad you got through that experience! Thankfully the door’s not closed on us making up for at least some of the missed experiences. We can’t get back the lost time obviously but we can gain a better perspective on life and on how we want to spend our remaining time after going through something like this. It’s not a bad silver lining! Much love to you.
Russell. Your videos are inspiring to everyone who’s gone through this. You also give us hope that things will get better. I’m in a state where I can’t articulate myself very well due to psych drugs. And you describe the detrimental effects in the same way I think about them. Lost all of my passions. Basketball, Fashion, Music. Lack of intelligence which destroyed my dreams of becoming a nurse. I just couldn’t explain it until I saw this video. I don’t know if you are religious, but I truly believe a higher power crafted a plan for you. One of those plans is being a voice to the helpless. Those without a voice like myself. For every psychiatrist there are dozens of victims deteriorating day by day but you never hear there story. If I ever recover I want to make videos just like you, exposing how damaging psych drugs can be long term and saving people from years of suffering.
It’s really vital to feel like we’ll have a future beyond the taper and withdrawals. Everything feels so permanent when we’re in the thick of it. But it does get better, and someday you’ll be able to make videos and pursue whatever interests you. So keep some hope in your heart! You’ll get there :) Much love to you.
Oh Russel thank you so much for your videos. They are helping me through a really difficult time. I got put on antipsych drugs 4 years ago. I only took them for 3 months but it took me a good year to recover from them. Unfortunately due to external pressure I got convinced to go on them again for 2 months this year. They did no harm at first but now they are really affecting my life. I wish I had a friend to count down the days with me until I might get better from stopping the drugs again. I’m glad there’s videos like yours now to give hope to people during this difficult time. Hope you’re taking care too. ✌🏽
Only took them for 2 weeks. Recovery might last a few more weeks or a couple of months. But yeah I’m never taking them again. And I’m lucky to have only been on them for 2 weeks because things could have been much worse if I was on them for longer.
Thanks Russ you have been and inspiration to me and I am so proud of you ... please keep doing what your doing .... you replied to one of my comments before but I just want to know if I could email you
Dude, I am you. Basically in my 20's and a shut in. Many many years of therapy, psych drugs, drug rehabs, and many many more things. I'm at my wits end. I can mayyyybe get into an independent living program through an institution, but I guarantee they require meds. Especially if I want disability money, I will be required to take meds. What do I even do like there's no help for me. And no, sorry, going to the therapist who teaches eastern mystical mindfulness and transcendental meditation isn't a solution for me
@@russellbyt No I don't take any meds I've taken so many of the years. The whole thing is crap. I mean show me a brain scan or SOMETHING tangible not just "well this might work!" "Just gotta keep trying to find the right one" What a sham that is lol
Hey brother, so happy to hear you're doing better. I been watching your videos for the past year while doing my agonizing taper off of Seroquel. I just want to say (now that I'm barely able to articulate myself) that you are a true beacon and inspiration of hope for me and I'm sure many other people. I learned more about myself and the predicament I find myself in having been on and now finally off Seroquel just relating to what you said than I did frantically researching and scouring the internet for any answers at all besides finding only lists of side effects. It's not often someone has not only the courage to speak about hard times, but you do it with a level of honesty and eloquence that is seldom seen. Again, just thank you so much, you say you have seen some dark times, I can't imagine, but you're not alone, and a leader and a hero for all of us still lingering in the shadows. PS: How many miligrams were you on, forgive me if you find the question rude and by all means just ignore me in that case, but I have a compulsion to ask, I'm just dying to see if someone was on as much as me, 300mgs...keep up the good work bro, don't know if I could have done it without losing my mind or relapsing if not for following the footsteps and the brilliantly beaten path this video has provided
@@russellbyt Hey brother, Happy New Year! Sorry for the delay, the holidays and work have been especially rough. I find I can only be articulate when really inspired, which given my apathy seems nearly impossible at this point...but speaks volumes of your video. I can't imagine what you must have went through, I was on 300 mgs for 3 years, I feel insignificant complaining next to what you were up against and defeated. You are a hero man. You found a way through the confusing wilderness of that poison and reassure the horrified rest of us that there's light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope my passion, memories, and ability to verbally speak fluidly again will return one day because as of now I'm basically mute besides writing. I wanted to ask if you had memory issues too because no exaggeration I am suffering from severe amnesia. I know you said it robbed you for your passion which infuriates me, but you were driven enough to make the video which is a result of passion, which again is inspiring. I will continue to keep on keeping on and because of your pioneering now have faith it won't be in vain. You're in my prayers brother, love and light
@@russellbyt thank you brother, finding time and also like you said putting words down can be very hard, I usually have to get a pen and paper and think really hard what to say and how to say it appropriately, plus again the memory issues affect everything everyday even down to remember engagements or in this case, a much needed TH-cam reply to someone who's experience is helping me immeasurably. LOL at the smiling at people part, it's not funny but I do it all the time, and litteraly have to make up fiction on the spot to fill in gaps of memory that I can't remember about stuff that happened moments before, or even stuff I thought that would have been unforgettable my whole life, now, forgotten within the span of me taking this. My emotions are completely dead too, for everything, positive and negative. You say it improves over time, which thank God for obviously...but I just hope to be able to recognize myself and be able to live with myself happily once I do. I didn't know your personality before your experience but you're an awesome person now, with intelligence and sense of humor intact, so maybe I can hope to recover more than just a portion of my soul, as I you seem to have made a 110% recovery. I also, although not on antipsychotics but was on other psych drugs and haven't felt my soul in over 10 years. Thanks as always bro and I'll keep checking out your videos. Again you're an inspiration to us all, and I'd definitely be borderline suicidal if not for the sharing of your experiences. Much love and appreciation man, much.
im glad to hear that some people in this world are able to escape psychiatry but dose nothing to help people trapped in mental health systems that force treatment onto people like me.
In all of film making, it is the greatest accomplishment to make a video that actually helps make the world a better place. Thank you for making the world a better place.
I second feeling like Ive lost time. Im 32, and all my 20s are gone. I feel like my youth has been wasted on meds (since I was 15 I started them) I m glad you said that, I dont feel so alone
@@russellbyt Im wanting to connect with others off meds, kinda to have a support system and others to chat with, can we connect on Facebook? (or any other platform) I managed to find you. I am as of now two weeks completely off
Congrats. I'm still suffering being tortured. Slowly titrating off medications hopeful without the psychiatrist knowing. I was yelled at by multiple professionals and my parents to take medicines(Specifically my mom) So I have to slowly get off the medicine on my own. My mom kept sending me to the hospital. I don't know why
Russ, I hope that all your effort pays off I can relate in feeling a loss of vitality & passion.. I really hope you regain every piece of yourself and that your passion for film pulls you through Hope to see another update soon.
Thank you for the inspiration Russell. I can't wait to listen to your interview with Laura Delano -- just applied to the group. I had traumatic experience with psychiatrists and psyche meds. I took a few psyche meds for about 6 months. I am 4 months off and never looking back. I suffer from insomnia and trauma from the awful side effects of the meds, which caused more harm than good. I emailed you. Need as much peer support as possible and looking to you and Laura Delano as inspiration.
Russel B, thanks again for the helpful videos and getting in touch with me! 😀 I watched your latest video about support for getting off medicine and tapering and stuff. I have currently been doing something my brother suggested, who helped his wife to get off benzodyazapines. Shaving off just a little bit from a pill each day, and that seems to be going pretty well so far, down to about 74% of the original .5 mg Clonazepam pills. Also, I have continued to come off of antipsychotics, and this morning, I was really feeling a lot better! I went for a nice long beautiful hike yesterday while talking to my brother in Japan and also listening to music, and that was really helpful for reducing anxiety as well as sleeping. I am noticing that as I have listened to some of my favorite songs and things, I have felt more passion, and in general am beginning to gradually feel a little more like myself again, as well as lose the sexual side effects and so on. I even had a pretty woman who gave me a haircut the other night be interested in me and give me her phone number! 😁 So, with help from people like you to mitigate the situation of doctors enforcing meds and stressing me out that way plus costing sleep from meds like lithium that was prescribed, and only tried a couple times - losing more than half a week's sleep as a result - anyway, it's great to have hope about the future again and begin to look forward to things that may be possible for my life! Thanks a ton! Keep up the great videos! And I also wish you luck on your successes too on video production and so on! No fate but what we make right. (人*´∀｀)｡*ﾟ+
Hey Greg, thanks for the progress update - so glad to hear it! I know how special those tapering victories are. Keep up the great work, and feel free to provide an update down the road, if you’d like. Wish you nothing but the best for your future. Much love to you!
It is really great to hear you overcame not taking psych drugs for so long. I have been on meds for 18 years and I have tried over 20 times to come off. I know I can try one last time because my physical health is getting bad. I relate to everything you said on your video. Now I know I can overcome if i keep going and not give up so soon this time because it has been difficult. Im curious. What if any have you used as alternative for your anxiety and depression?
Hello Russel B, Im very happy for you to get rid off these meds, Im under zypreza prozac and ativan, I started tapering off since July this year but I did the things wrong, I started skipping 2 days a week and having half a dose some of the other days and complete dose for three days; the thing is that I started feeling the withdrawal symptoms , extreme anxiety and depression, thanks our Creator not bad thoughts and Im praying for all these go away, I started to have half dose the days I was skipping , Any ideas how to stabilize the doses. Thank you and YHVH keep blessing you!
@@russellbyt thank you very much for your answer, ikr this is not easy but we have a Powerful Elohim to whom everything is possible. I’m going to have starting over because I was doing it wrong and fast, and I couldn’t do it this time, I have faith our Creator will set me the right time and way to do it. Praying for everyone in this process. Thanks lots for the links. Much ahaba(love) to you as well, may YHVH bless you and keep you! Shalom!
This video gave me hope, it helped me a lot when I was doing much worse. Thank you! and congratulations on being in a way better place than you were. I only had a couple injections of antipsychotics and they put me into a horrible state, for pretty much a year. I'm still not the same as I was before (1.5 years off now) but I'm doing better. In my opinion antipsychotics are insanely over prescribed and should only be used as a last resort. Poison
Hi Russ, It's nice to know that there are others out there like you who successfully got off psyche meds. This is has been my dream and journey since 2010. I desperately want to get off these meds; however every time have landed in the hospital. You are an inspiration. Is there anyway possible to connect through email and or just find out more about how to successfully take the steps to do this? Thank you 😊
Hey. To be successful you need support. Brain damage occurs at first ingestion of this medicine. Slow titration should be proven. It's just; these medicines came out in the 1990's and they started school shootings.
Hello! Thank you for making this video. It has given me hope. My story began this year in March: I went into a temporary psychosis/mania from smoking weed. And was put into a mental health clinic where i was told i had bipolar. I was told i need medication and later injected with abilify and told i need to be on it for years. May, I noticed i no longer had feelings/emotions, and i knew something was wrong. June, i was told to take another shot and i decided to take the oral route instead. July, i did research and i decided on my own to get a new psychiatrist, told him my story and he allowed me to taper off the abilify. August, I've been a week and a half drug free. I am still concerned about my emotions/feelings/thinking. Do you have any advice on your healing journey? As of now i am eating healthy/exercising/vitamins. I'd love to hear from you! Thank you again for making all of your videos!
Hey, happy to help! As for advice, you’ve probably heard the phrase “listen to your body.” It’s one of the most important things you can do right now. It’s our best guide while recovering. It already sounds like you have a good connection with it, so just keep on doing it :) Also, when we first come off our meds completely, it’s usually good to celebrate and enjoy the milestone - but it’s super _great_ to still be cautious and to not get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s not uncommon for us to start taking on too much, even things we enjoy doing, just as an example, and we can end up getting overwhelmed. There’s likely a good deal of healing that’s still taking place. We may still experience some (seemingly random) ups and downs too. And if so, that's okay. All part of the process. Don’t get discouraged by it. Things will improve with time and you should gradually get back your thinking and feeling capabilities!
I took vraylar for about 2 weeks and the second week I started feeling awful side effects so after 2 weeks I’m tapering off. Withdrawal has been pretty bad, how long do you think it will take for me to recover completely. I was taking the lowest dose so I hope it’ll be quick. But before this I took setraline for about 2-3 months. I would really like your opinion on this.
I stopped taking psychmeds because they gave me a needle that last six months and it last for 5years I can't even think rite I hate therapist now I automatically get irritated because I know something isn't rite with those medications they killed my creativity
@@russellbyt I agree once I came off medications my creativity eventually came back & so grateful for that just completed a creative project after 2 years (due to meds killing any passion) & it took almost a year of being off meds to feel passionate & creative again...immediately started working on my next project 💖
Hi i been on respiredon for 1 month.never been on something before i stopped cold turkey since than its been 3 mounts off .but i think its gave me some sort of ocd about regret of taking that and slightly changed of my personality.what happend to me or its all in my head ?
Being on Risperidone for a month is long enough to develop a dependency on it, which would lead to withdrawal symptoms if it's stopped too quickly. So it's not all in your head. It takes time for these problems to clear up (3 months isn't exactly a long time in withdrawal terms.) You should recover eventually.
Hey bro, how u doing i hope u still doing great.. I got a severe worsening of symptoms recently triggered by a certain circumstances , it has doubled my depression and so is my anxiety .. Intrusive thoughts has showed up and worsening of depression is unbearable.. I hope it passes bro smoothly , im trying to get over it Have u experienced similar circumstances
Russell B yeah bro thx for ur support!🙏🏻 And yes its still not easy especially if there is something arround u making u unconfortable and anxious .. What we have reached is way better than before but we still need more blessings and prayers bro .those drugs are no joke and have damaged alot My prayers bro , keep going 👌
Hi Russell. What do you think, 1 month on Sulpiride 50-100 mg and 4 days Risperidone 4 mg, 4 days Risperidone 3 mg and two weeks Risperidone 2 mg is a lot? what are the chances of a full recovery?
Hey, I wouldn't say it’s a lot in terms of it being so much that it prevents a full recovery. While I prefer not to guarantee a 100% recovery, since there are always extreme cases, I always advise people to think as if they _will_ make a full recovery - some day. Most of the people I’ve talked to did reach that point.* In your case, I’m sure you’ll get there eventually too. Just avoid some of the forums and whatnot where you might encounter a bunch of folks telling you it won’t happen. That stuff can really screw with your head. *Just to clarify: I don’t mean they’ve recovered from all their life’s problems. But they’re no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms, acute or otherwise, or any other issues related to being on, and coming off, meds. For the most part. Some do have to deal with things like the wear and tear on their bodies related to drug-induced weight gain. You know, things like that. (It’s hard to give a simple answer to most questions on the topic of coming-off-psych-drugs since there can be a need to provide a lot of qualifiers.)
Video me now? Help me tell my story? I got a complex compelling situation where a lot can be said. I am two years off meds. I got sucked into VA Behavior Health Psychiatry People are trying to forcibly drug me despite living an upstanding productive life.
Hey man! Someone i know took sertraline, risperidone, xeplion, and benzodiazepines for 2-3 months. This is considered long term. What can you do to heal the brain from these drugs? Will the brain heal again?
Is it possible that some people might need some meds, I’ve been off mine for 4 months and I have not been able to do what I was doing since I was on psych meds 4 months of not being functional
Hey Matt, I’m really sorry the last 4 months have been so difficult. All of us here definitely know what you’re going through and wish you the best! Regarding whether or not meds are needed for some: it’s currently much harder than it ought to be for folks to figure out just how helpful, let alone necessary, the meds are. Many people who believe they need them because of how bad they feel after stopping them are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms often get misidentified by prescribers as a return and/or worsening of the symptoms of a disorder. This doesn’t give patients a fair chance to figure out what they really need. It actually leads to countless people believing they need the meds to function, when in reality, they may only “need” them to stave off withdrawal. I'll offer up a personal anecdote as an example: when I was around 17, a psychiatrist took me off the meds so I could see how I’d do without them. I’d been on psych meds of various kinds for about 6 years at that point. But he did it so fast I had to go back on them almost immediately. It was too destabilizing. He had no clue about withdrawal symptoms. I started feeling better as soon as the meds were reinstated (as is typically the case when the problems are withdrawal related). As a result, I began to believe I needed them to function. And of course, so did the doctor. 7 years later I was given a chance to come off them _much_ more slowly by a different doc. That’s when I realized that psych drug withdrawal was the greatest source of my off-meds misery. I still have my struggles, I’ve simply chosen to deal with them without psychiatry’s help. I do much better this way. But to each their own! And really, each person should be free to make up their own mind about how helpful and/or necessary the meds are. We just haven’t reached a point yet where we get all the info and help that we need and deserve from our doctors. Until we get that, figuring out who needs what is a long and messy game of guessing. With all that said, I wish you the best on your own journey and much love to you.
I was prescribed meds for anxiety and being on them for a year. They caused terrible OCD. I’m in the process of getting off, but so terrified Ocd will torture me even worse after stopping meds. How did you manage your OCD after you stopped your medication? Did you improve?
Thank you so much for your response. I mostly suffer from obsessive thoughts- I don’t have physical rituals. But, as far as my practice goes I realize controlling thoughts is impossible. How unfair to us .... being treated for anxiety we end up with terrible side effects from meds. I found your TH-cam through Laura Delano:)
Hey bro i hope u everything has settled for u .. One thing i wanted to ask long ago ; was it a linear improvement for u? Like each year there is a tiny improvement? Are ur enotions back bro? Hows ur brain reaction to big event? Do u feel that dopamine rush again? Is ur anxiety ever gettin better? Im afraid bro we reach acertain level of improvement and that wont be enough?! Is there 100% recovery bro? How u feelin after 6 years? Is it always going better?
Russell B yea bro im having a hard time either and its make the symptoms way worse! I can relate bro each year there is alittle improvement but still not have enough of the recovery process; i know that uve had been dealing with hard periods too and everyone knows quiting antipsychotics is not the same of any antidepressant but way worse.. I hope u find the way till the end bro , life has many stucks and ups and downs , i hope we make it thru all of us .. Peace bro 🙏🏻
@@russellbyt thanks for answering!! I didn't expect it :) no I'm not on any med since then, no vaccines either, no antibiotics, not anymore, I had a very difficult childhood and when I learned mindfulness everything was way easier, but I used to be super skinny and now it's weird, I was thinking about intermittent fasting to don't stimulate dopamine receptors all the time, BTW I'm neuroscoentist, thanks for sharing your experience!
Ive been sick since 2014 been on antidepressants till 2017 and it was nightmare every single day then i started to take antipsychotics and i wasnt suffering anymore but i became numb but still better than wanting to kill yourself every single day... ive tried to quit APs but the serious problems come back right away, at this point i am stuck with these meds possibly for the rest of my life but i have hope for new medications that doesnt block dopamine... stay strong guys, you never know what future brings
@@russellbyt hello, its pleasure to get reply from you, ive been on very low doses of antipsychotic such as 0,5 - 1mg risperidone or 50mg of quetiapine so it wasnt that hard to taper slowly over few weeks but i became much worse, the real illness came back i almost lost hope but then me and my psychiatrist came to a conclusion i need higher dose of AP so she put me on 200mg XR and i still wasnt good so we were uping the dose to 600mg XR and now i am stable, that said i still cant work , but i can take care of my hygiene and stuff around house which is much better than being unable to get out of your bed. After those 6 years i know i triggered my brain for good and no medication can bring it back but i still have hope for new treatments. My official diagnosis is clinical depression with somatoform pain but you could say that i have all symptoms of "negative symptoms of schizophrenia".... i hope you stay healthy and in pursuit of your goals Russell.
HELPP!!!! PLEASE HELP!! GOD, PLEASE READ THIS I NEED HELP!!! I'm a 19 year old who had a temporary anxiety. My physician offered another anxiety medication like it was nothing, (i've previously been on chlonodine hcl which helps for both hypetension and anxiety). I found out it was a psychiatric(Buspar/Buspirone) :/ No talk about how to use it, side-effects, how it works. And never told me it mitigates the brain. Never said it was a psychiatric drug. The first time I took it, I definitely noticed a decline in cognitive-faculties. As I kept taking it however, I seemed to regain the ability to think, however, my memory and the way I read (I tend to be VERY high in IQ, and read chunks ultra fast instead of slowly linearly from left to right) were downgraded. I will admit I took them all over the place. I tried to stick with taking it at morning (4am when I wake up) and then another in the afternoon. But honestly sometimes I'd forget and only ingest one. I made a follow up with my doctor once after the prescription and he told me it's until my brain adjusts. He had some point in there because i did kind of start seeing to regain my ability to think creatively but my way of reading was still changed from fast to slow and my memory was still bad. I had a realization realizing wtf I was taking and realizing it alters my brain and noticing my memory not as good and reading linearly instead of how I normally read. I then decided to search this thing up. I found out it's a psychiatric drug that mitigates the brain and I just got so fucking scared. I started searching up "buspar lowers intelligence." I've read some posts on quora about people feeling as smart as they were before and on when going on even more powerful things such as SSRI's (but then everyone is different). And other people saying "well if we define intelligence as the neurochemistry which is impacted by these drugs..." you get the point. Generally I'm hyper-aware with my eyes always looking everywhere and ever since this medicine, it has gone away. Also, I stumbled upon these videos claiming that psychiatric medicatinos can be the devil for some people: th-cam.com/video/qTfuhKWWbGU/w-d-xo.html They say that it impedes cognitivie abilities, but what makes me think I can stay this sane is because my very High IQ (Stanford Binet 149) took the hit and I'm still able to cognitively function. I quit cold turkey. 10 days ago was the last time I took it, after taking it for 3weeks/month. However, I did not know that quitting cold turkey was a bad thing. No one ever had these conversations with me, and I really do feel like a victim :( I'm scared that quitting Cold Turkey will do brain damage, but I searched it just lists the withdrawal side effects as more severe. I just don't know what to do man. Please someone just tell me what to do to get out of this mess. I don't want to feel hopeless. Please don't put any blame on me, I admit that I was ignorant. In fact, I grew up in a bubble of my ethnic community (Mexican) and didn't really find out the difference between an entree and an appetizer til like a month ago or two. I've also seen other posts on reddit about brainfog on buspirone/buspar, and no one believing them. But I do. I'm just so scared.
I am not doing well trying to get off klonopin and lexapro, while my son is being tormented by psychiatry and torture chambers called hospitals. He is home now but completely sedated. Meanwhile, I took in my elderly mother to care for. As her health declined, I was no longer able to care for her only because of me tapering off these meds! I feel awful. I cannot be of help to anyone. It has been 26 years for me and only started with panic attacks at age 32 - so I am now 58 and feel my life is basically over. I hope my son can have success getting away from psychiatry as you have been able to do.
It's good to know someone else has gone through things that is going on right now on my life
You're definitely not alone!
I teared up watching this man. Hits so close to home. I know about that feeling when your passion is destroyed/numbed. I feel it too. This is such a challenge to overcome.
You inspired me so much when my prozac withdrawal began. I almost lost all my imagination/visualisation at first, and it took almost 1.5 years to recover. Now I want to recover my emotions and for head pressure to subside.
You give me such inspiration brother, I’m infinitely grateful to find your channel. Thank you so, so much.
I feel the same way. I'm thinking of coming off of lexapro. Been on it since I was 14. I turn 30 this year. You're the only person I know who has described the brain fog and brain damage like feelings I have. I'm a mom and I worry about how long it will take me to go back to normal coming off of them. It's unfair to them. 😔 it's really frustrating.
Hey Michelle, It's an incredibly difficult decision to make. If we had the support and infrastructure we deserve, the ripple effect would be greatly reduced (as would the impact on our own lives). Hopefully that time is coming in the not-too-distant future. That doesn't make things any easier for us in the here and now, but we do have more info and online help and communities than we had years ago. It _is_ progress and it makes a big difference for those embarking on this journey. (There was comparatively very little available for most of my taper. That really raised the fear and uncertainty levels!)
It's also important to make those feel welcome who want to come off their meds but for various reasons, decide now isn't the best time. They're part of this community too. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will feel supported in your decision. Much love to you and your family!
(And sorry for the delay in replying.)
I'm 36 I've been dealing with mental health issues since I was 13. Now I've got physical issues too. I know what it feels like to be left behind. No friends, family moved on. Everyone has degrees and money. I'm a stay at home dad now so at least I have that.
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
I really love this channel. It’s good to hear about how your life has begun to improve. I’m coming off psych meds right now and it’s been rough, but these videos have been encouraging.
Me as well, It's not easy but for our Creator nothing is impossible! YHVH help us!
How do you feel now ? That's if you did went off meds
Glad u still doing great bro
Its 3 years and half off antipsychotics myself , things are slowly improving and keeping busy is a key
Losses are too many mainly work and relationships plans ...we have our life back bro , keep going 👌🏻
Did ur sex drive return?
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
u r one of the tuffest human being bro, coming off psych meds is hell, i know ur feeling
@@russellbyt how many years u take to complete heal
I'm at 4 years, what a time to be raw. Keep going. Be safe.
Ellen how r u now
Did u take abilify and risperidone did sex drive return ?
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
@@CREEKSTx3 I'm not who you wanted an answer from, but even if we're not exactly alike, I can give you my own comment. I was on risperidone, bupropion (Wellbutrin), and a benzo at the same time. Dr. thought it would be cool to just lower the antidepressant and pull me off risperidone with NO taper! I didn't know any better, plus the benzo numbs things out. But, one thing of many side effects I was done with was the sexual side effect. Downright unable to function is what it was. Any SSRI does the same thing to me, within 2 days. But, things went back to normal with that within a couple of weeks. I never did come off of the benzo. I'm hoping and planning though.
@@CREEKSTx3 I'm sorry, TH-cam just NOW told me I had a reply! I hardly ever leave any either. I've never been on Abilify. The Risperidone didn't cause any sex issues, neither did Wellbutrin. Only SSRIs, (Prozac, Buspar, Zoloft). Even herbals like St. John's Wort acts like a full SSRI. Everything was back to normal right after tapering off, and I've tapered off a few times. My husband went right back to normal also. Still depressed, but the antidepressants weren't working anyway. 😕 A depressed person doesn't need side effects on top of it. Hope everyone is doing well, I mean as well as possible considering the world lately.
Would love to see more videos about your life beyond the meds!!! It’s sooooo encouraging to see you get back to yourself.
@Shamara Thomas - I don't think anyone completely heals from the long term damage of Psych meds. Plus, you have the underlying untreated illness that you were prescribed medication in the first place for to deal with. Have you ever heard a success story where someone has come off their meds, completely healed, & gone onto realize their life goals?
It's very encouraging to see a full recovery.
It's almost never been done.
I'm excited to be normal after this 25 year Hiatus is ended.
(It will be 25 years unless i have medicines FOR the anti psychotics I was prescribed.)
@John Jeck It's important to keep in mind that there are many more successes than we'll ever hear about. Most people who succeed never share it with the world. Certainly not publicly. Even folks who were active on forums, or passed through this Russell B community, and then finished coming off their psych meds and have stayed off them, simply get on with their lives and focus on carving out their little spaces in the world.
It's kinda like most areas in life: we hear more from the people who are still having negative experiences than those who are having positive ones. But they are definitely out there!
You are sa-hooou sweet Russell, so soft and tender. Extremely precious! And keep sharing your experiences and development. Me, as a likewise sufferer from psychiatry and "medications" really value your content and I'm sure there are a hella lot more of us (: Merry Christmas and the best of a year 2020
Russ. You are a hero. Keep going.
Ildi. Thank you, it really means a lot to hear that 💜
Omg! You look like your doing awesomely well! That’s so encouraging. I need it too. I’m 51 years old. I’m doing Lamictal withdrawal right now. I was a pro am photographer and learning the new cameras, programs etc, seems overwhelming. Learning anything new seems like a huge challenge. Keep at it dude, you can do it..you are doing it! Everyday, your doing it. Don’t let one moment define the next. Embrace it and let it go. Yeah, I know, psych meds really really suck and so do the disorders. Just live your values and it seems like you are. I hope in my lifetime I can get to where you are. I have epilepsy too though. I don’t know if I’ll ever be completely medication free but I’m aiming for as close as possible to the lowest dosages and any small triumph is worth celebrating, even if it’s just getting up and making the bed and doing basic self care. That’s hard to admit but the disorders can be that debilitating and the meds..I don’t know which is worse. The river is long and winding, my paddle is a heavy weight and my craft easy to be overturned in turbulence but I know how to swim well and minimally I can tread water until I find the lifeline. I want so much to live and fully enjoy my creativity and I too became flat, wondered where did my imagination go, my creative ideas that brought purpose to my life. Thanks for sharing. You never know whose life you inspire, maybe even save. I hear the struggle in your voice but it’s truth but you have a much healthier and vibrant glow about you than previous videos. You have made it back from where few never come. That is an amazing accomplishment. Peace to you. Be kind to yourself. Don’t look too hard and get discouraged for what you are seeking is also seeking you.
Omg ,how are you now?
You have so many viewers now😃. Thank you for giving hope to us. I will come off the psych drugs next year. Hopefully it will be successful too. Looking forward to more videos.
Hi Russell, I can't tell you how great it felt to meet someone else who has gone through this. Keep sharing the love... lol 😉😎
Merry Christmas, Russell. Lots of love and hugs to you. I’m so proud of you so proud of you. You give me so much hope I lose hope a lot of times because I don’t see any success stories especially ones from cold turkey
Merry Christmas, and much love to you! Sorry for the delay. I’m going to reply to your other comments too, just running a bit behind.
I got Psychosis from THC back in 2021 October 9th and was on rispirdome from that time period all the way to may the 9th 2022, coming of I lost so much weight could have more mental clarity stating exercise and doing the thing I loved doing before all this hit, then in August I went into hyper mania and was on aripiprazole for that time all the way to December (as i write this). Im of it now due to how I felt on it and how much I missed out on my stuff before going on it (running, muai thai and the main one feeling good) but yours story and how long you were on it wow I could resonate and felt what you were saying missing out of the things you love is so hard, so glad your at least doing the things you love now I understand partly your frustration keep going man your a strong person!
Glad you got through that experience! Thankfully the door’s not closed on us making up for at least some of the missed experiences. We can’t get back the lost time obviously but we can gain a better perspective on life and on how we want to spend our remaining time after going through something like this. It’s not a bad silver lining! Much love to you.
@@russellbyt what if psychiatrist or doctors dont help with misdiagnosis cause they tell u that if u hv diabetes u hv to remain on pills forever
Russell. Your videos are inspiring to everyone who’s gone through this. You also give us hope that things will get better.
I’m in a state where I can’t articulate myself very well due to psych drugs. And you describe the detrimental effects in the same way I think about them. Lost all of my passions. Basketball, Fashion, Music. Lack of intelligence which destroyed my dreams of becoming a nurse. I just couldn’t explain it until I saw this video.
I don’t know if you are religious, but I truly believe a higher power crafted a plan for you. One of those plans is being a voice to the helpless. Those without a voice like myself. For every psychiatrist there are dozens of victims deteriorating day by day but you never hear there story.
If I ever recover I want to make videos just like you, exposing how damaging psych drugs can be long term and saving people from years of suffering.
It’s really vital to feel like we’ll have a future beyond the taper and withdrawals. Everything feels so permanent when we’re in the thick of it. But it does get better, and someday you’ll be able to make videos and pursue whatever interests you. So keep some hope in your heart! You’ll get there :) Much love to you.
Oh Russel thank you so much for your videos. They are helping me through a really difficult time. I got put on antipsych drugs 4 years ago. I only took them for 3 months but it took me a good year to recover from them. Unfortunately due to external pressure I got convinced to go on them again for 2 months this year. They did no harm at first but now they are really affecting my life. I wish I had a friend to count down the days with me until I might get better from stopping the drugs again. I’m glad there’s videos like yours now to give hope to people during this difficult time. Hope you’re taking care too. ✌🏽
@@russellbyt Did u feel dereallization and stomach cramps in ur withdrawal please ans I m 105 days sober
Sian.how r u now
Did your sex drive return?
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
Only took them for 2 weeks. Recovery might last a few more weeks or a couple of months. But yeah I’m never taking them again. And I’m lucky to have only been on them for 2 weeks because things could have been much worse if I was on them for longer.
Thanks Russ you have been and inspiration to me and I am so proud of you ... please keep doing what your doing .... you replied to one of my comments before but I just want to know if I could email you
Dude, I am you. Basically in my 20's and a shut in. Many many years of therapy, psych drugs, drug rehabs, and many many more things. I'm at my wits end. I can mayyyybe get into an independent living program through an institution, but I guarantee they require meds. Especially if I want disability money, I will be required to take meds. What do I even do like there's no help for me. And no, sorry, going to the therapist who teaches eastern mystical mindfulness and transcendental meditation isn't a solution for me
It's a really hard spot to be in! Are you currently on meds and are hoping to taper at some point?
@@russellbyt No I don't take any meds I've taken so many of the years. The whole thing is crap.
I mean show me a brain scan or SOMETHING tangible not just "well this might work!" "Just gotta keep trying to find the right one"
What a sham that is lol
Hey brother, so happy to hear you're doing better. I been watching your videos for the past year while doing my agonizing taper off of Seroquel. I just want to say (now that I'm barely able to articulate myself) that you are a true beacon and inspiration of hope for me and I'm sure many other people. I learned more about myself and the predicament I find myself in having been on and now finally off Seroquel just relating to what you said than I did frantically researching and scouring the internet for any answers at all besides finding only lists of side effects. It's not often someone has not only the courage to speak about hard times, but you do it with a level of honesty and eloquence that is seldom seen. Again, just thank you so much, you say you have seen some dark times, I can't imagine, but you're not alone, and a leader and a hero for all of us still lingering in the shadows.
PS: How many miligrams were you on, forgive me if you find the question rude and by all means just ignore me in that case, but I have a compulsion to ask, I'm just dying to see if someone was on as much as me, 300mgs...keep up the good work bro, don't know if I could have done it without losing my mind or relapsing if not for following the footsteps and the brilliantly beaten path this video has provided
@@russellbyt Hey brother, Happy New Year! Sorry for the delay, the holidays and work have been especially rough. I find I can only be articulate when really inspired, which given my apathy seems nearly impossible at this point...but speaks volumes of your video. I can't imagine what you must have went through, I was on 300 mgs for 3 years, I feel insignificant complaining next to what you were up against and defeated. You are a hero man. You found a way through the confusing wilderness of that poison and reassure the horrified rest of us that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
I just hope my passion, memories, and ability to verbally speak fluidly again will return one day because as of now I'm basically mute besides writing. I wanted to ask if you had memory issues too because no exaggeration I am suffering from severe amnesia. I know you said it robbed you for your passion which infuriates me, but you were driven enough to make the video which is a result of passion, which again is inspiring.
I will continue to keep on keeping on and because of your pioneering now have faith it won't be in vain. You're in my prayers brother, love and light
@@russellbyt thank you brother, finding time and also like you said putting words down can be very hard, I usually have to get a pen and paper and think really hard what to say and how to say it appropriately, plus again the memory issues affect everything everyday even down to remember engagements or in this case, a much needed TH-cam reply to someone who's experience is helping me immeasurably.
LOL at the smiling at people part, it's not funny but I do it all the time, and litteraly have to make up fiction on the spot to fill in gaps of memory that I can't remember about stuff that happened moments before, or even stuff I thought that would have been unforgettable my whole life, now, forgotten within the span of me taking this. My emotions are completely dead too, for everything, positive and negative.
You say it improves over time, which thank God for obviously...but I just hope to be able to recognize myself and be able to live with myself happily once I do. I didn't know your personality before your experience but you're an awesome person now, with intelligence and sense of humor intact, so maybe I can hope to recover more than just a portion of my soul, as I you seem to have made a 110% recovery. I also, although not on antipsychotics but was on other psych drugs and haven't felt my soul in over 10 years. Thanks as always bro and I'll keep checking out your videos. Again you're an inspiration to us all, and I'd definitely be borderline suicidal if not for the sharing of your experiences. Much love and appreciation man, much.
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
Thanks for this video..
im glad to hear that some people in this world are able to escape psychiatry but dose nothing to help people trapped in mental health systems that force treatment onto people like me.
@@russellbyt im on a community treatment order the usual nonsense here in Australia.
@@ccc771 hi, I am a voluntary patient in Australia. Like you I was hospitalised and put on the involuntary treatment order several years ago.
In all of film making, it is the greatest accomplishment to make a video that actually helps make the world a better place. Thank you for making the world a better place.
I second feeling like Ive lost time. Im 32, and all my 20s are gone. I feel like my youth has been wasted on meds (since I was 15 I started them) I m glad you said that, I dont feel so alone
@@russellbyt Thats so true. It is definitely a better situation off than on. And its important to look at the positives.
@@russellbyt Im wanting to connect with others off meds, kinda to have a support system and others to chat with, can we connect on Facebook? (or any other platform) I managed to find you. I am as of now two weeks completely off
Love you man!
thank you for your videos, they are very helpful
Congrats.
I'm still suffering being tortured.
Slowly titrating off medications hopeful without the psychiatrist knowing.
I was yelled at by multiple professionals and my parents to take medicines(Specifically my mom)
So I have to slowly get off the medicine on my own.
My mom kept sending me to the hospital.
I don't know why
Best wishes for 2020
Russ,
I hope that all your effort pays off
I can relate in feeling a loss of vitality & passion..
I really hope you regain every piece of yourself and that your passion for film pulls you through
Hope to see another update soon.
Poor mental health is not hopeless, it's IMPOSSIBLE!
Great helpful video. Thanks!!
Glad I could help!
Thank you for the inspiration Russell. I can't wait to listen to your interview with Laura Delano -- just applied to the group. I had traumatic experience with psychiatrists and psyche meds. I took a few psyche meds for about 6 months. I am 4 months off and never looking back. I suffer from insomnia and trauma from the awful side effects of the meds, which caused more harm than good. I emailed you. Need as much peer support as possible and looking to you and Laura Delano as inspiration.
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
I feel the same, it taken my life from me for 30 years.
That's horrible. So sorry it's happened. I wish we could get the lost time back but at least we can start living a better life eventually!
Russel B, thanks again for the helpful videos and getting in touch with me! 😀 I watched your latest video about support for getting off medicine and tapering and stuff. I have currently been doing something my brother suggested, who helped his wife to get off benzodyazapines. Shaving off just a little bit from a pill each day, and that seems to be going pretty well so far, down to about 74% of the original .5 mg Clonazepam pills.
Also, I have continued to come off of antipsychotics, and this morning, I was really feeling a lot better! I went for a nice long beautiful hike yesterday while talking to my brother in Japan and also listening to music, and that was really helpful for reducing anxiety as well as sleeping.
I am noticing that as I have listened to some of my favorite songs and things, I have felt more passion, and in general am beginning to gradually feel a little more like myself again, as well as lose the sexual side effects and so on. I even had a pretty woman who gave me a haircut the other night be interested in me and give me her phone number! 😁
So, with help from people like you to mitigate the situation of doctors enforcing meds and stressing me out that way plus costing sleep from meds like lithium that was prescribed, and only tried a couple times - losing more than half a week's sleep as a result - anyway, it's great to have hope about the future again and begin to look forward to things that may be possible for my life!
Thanks a ton! Keep up the great videos! And I also wish you luck on your successes too on video production and so on! No fate but what we make right. (人*´∀｀)｡*ﾟ+
Hey Greg, thanks for the progress update - so glad to hear it! I know how special those tapering victories are. Keep up the great work, and feel free to provide an update down the road, if you’d like. Wish you nothing but the best for your future. Much love to you!
@@russellbyt Thanks Russel, I shall keep in touch, and let you know how things are going! Happy New Year btw! 😀
Thanks, and Happy New Year to you!
I am in the similar situation like you. I am 36 and i stopped antidepressant medication 8 months ago.It is hard very hard physically and emotionally.
Vagevo did u feel emptyness or dereallization annd stomach cramps in ur withdrawal please ans I m ,105 days sober
@@sangeetalambh6389 Yes i feel this way and other simptoms too.
@@TheBardarov how. r u now.
@@sangeetalambh6389 Not ok but i hope some day it's this hell going to stop.
@@TheBardarov did u take any med for stomach cramps
It is really great to hear you overcame not taking psych drugs for so long. I have been on meds for 18 years and I have tried over 20 times to come off. I know I can try one last time because my physical health is getting bad. I relate to everything you said on your video. Now I know I can overcome if i keep going and not give up so soon this time because it has been difficult. Im curious. What if any have you used as alternative for your anxiety and depression?
@@russellbyt thank you! I won't give up this time. I know it will be rough though before it gets better. Thanks for your kind reply.
@@eboneyg4199 have you been able to go off the meds and how do you feel now?
Hello Russel B, Im very happy for you to get rid off these meds, Im under zypreza prozac and ativan, I started tapering off since July this year but I did the things wrong, I started skipping 2 days a week and having half a dose some of the other days and complete dose for three days; the thing is that I started feeling the withdrawal symptoms , extreme anxiety and depression, thanks our Creator not bad thoughts and Im praying for all these go away, I started to have half dose the days I was skipping , Any ideas how to stabilize the doses. Thank you and YHVH keep blessing you!
@@russellbyt thank you very much for your answer, ikr this is not easy but we have a Powerful Elohim to whom everything is possible. I’m going to have starting over because I was doing it wrong and fast, and I couldn’t do it this time, I have faith our Creator will set me the right time and way to do it. Praying for everyone in this process. Thanks lots for the links. Much ahaba(love) to you as well, may YHVH bless you and keep you! Shalom!
This video gave me hope, it helped me a lot when I was doing much worse.
Thank you! and congratulations on being in a way better place than you were.
I only had a couple injections of antipsychotics and they put me into a horrible state, for pretty much a year.
I'm still not the same as I was before (1.5 years off now) but I'm doing better.
In my opinion antipsychotics are insanely over prescribed and should only be used as a last resort. Poison
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
Hi! How are you today?
*I Love U*
Hi Russ,
It's nice to know that there are others out there like you who successfully got off psyche meds. This is has been my dream and journey since 2010. I desperately want to get off these meds; however every time have landed in the hospital. You are an inspiration. Is there anyway possible to connect through email and or just find out more about how to successfully take the steps to do this? Thank you 😊
Hey.
To be successful you need support.
Brain damage occurs at first ingestion of this medicine.
Slow titration should be proven.
It's just; these medicines came out in the 1990's and they started school shootings.
Hello! Thank you for making this video. It has given me hope.
My story began this year in March: I went into a temporary psychosis/mania from smoking weed. And was put into a mental health clinic where i was told i had bipolar. I was told i need medication and later injected with abilify and told i need to be on it for years.
May, I noticed i no longer had feelings/emotions, and i knew something was wrong.
June, i was told to take another shot and i decided to take the oral route instead.
July, i did research and i decided on my own to get a new psychiatrist, told him my story and he allowed me to taper off the abilify.
August, I've been a week and a half drug free.
I am still concerned about my emotions/feelings/thinking.
Do you have any advice on your healing journey?
As of now i am eating healthy/exercising/vitamins.
I'd love to hear from you! Thank you again for making all of your videos!
Hey, happy to help! As for advice, you’ve probably heard the phrase “listen to your body.” It’s one of the most important things you can do right now. It’s our best guide while recovering. It already sounds like you have a good connection with it, so just keep on doing it :)
Also, when we first come off our meds completely, it’s usually good to celebrate and enjoy the milestone - but it’s super _great_ to still be cautious and to not get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s not uncommon for us to start taking on too much, even things we enjoy doing, just as an example, and we can end up getting overwhelmed. There’s likely a good deal of healing that’s still taking place. We may still experience some (seemingly random) ups and downs too. And if so, that's okay. All part of the process. Don’t get discouraged by it. Things will improve with time and you should gradually get back your thinking and feeling capabilities!
Thanks for the reply! It means a lot to me. I will update you on my progress! Stay well and happy healing!
You are sweet, you look wonderful …...best to your bright future .
Forced injection abilify here, hope i get my feelings back itll be a year before im off of them at most
It'll take some time but you can expect them to return. Wish you the best on your coming-off-meds journey!
@@russellbyt thank you! It's a wild world
What is your thoughts on SSRI like lexapro or Zoloft for severe anxiety and ocd?
I took vraylar for about 2 weeks and the second week I started feeling awful side effects so after 2 weeks I’m tapering off. Withdrawal has been pretty bad, how long do you think it will take for me to recover completely. I was taking the lowest dose so I hope it’ll be quick. But before this I took setraline for about 2-3 months. I would really like your opinion on this.
Hey man i took abilify for 2 weeks a couple of months ago and i still don't feel the same. how long did it take you to fully recover?
Thanks man
Happy to help
How did you get over the trauma from what you went through? I’m sorry I know you went through a lot too.
I stopped taking psychmeds because they gave me a needle that last six months and it last for 5years I can't even think rite I hate therapist now I automatically get irritated because I know something isn't rite with those medications they killed my creativity
@@russellbyt I agree once I came off medications my creativity eventually came back & so grateful for that just completed a creative project after 2 years (due to meds killing any passion) & it took almost a year of being off meds to feel passionate & creative again...immediately started working on my next project 💖
The day scene music did u feel fatigue like emptyness and stomach cramps in ur withdrawal please ans I m. 105 days sober
@@Lala-rn9it how do you feel now that you are off medication?
@@Lala-rn9it how long were u on medication
Hi i been on respiredon for 1 month.never been on something before i stopped cold turkey since than its been 3 mounts off .but i think its gave me some sort of ocd about regret of taking that and slightly changed of my personality.what happend to me or its all in my head ?
Being on Risperidone for a month is long enough to develop a dependency on it, which would lead to withdrawal symptoms if it's stopped too quickly. So it's not all in your head. It takes time for these problems to clear up (3 months isn't exactly a long time in withdrawal terms.) You should recover eventually.
Hey bro, how u doing i hope u still doing great..
I got a severe worsening of symptoms recently triggered by a certain circumstances , it has doubled my depression and so is my anxiety ..
Intrusive thoughts has showed up and worsening of depression is unbearable..
I hope it passes bro smoothly , im trying to get over it
Have u experienced similar circumstances
Russell B yeah bro thx for ur support!🙏🏻
And yes its still not easy especially if there is something arround u making u unconfortable and anxious ..
What we have reached is way better than before but we still need more blessings and prayers bro .those drugs are no joke and have damaged alot
My prayers bro , keep going 👌
Hi Russell. What do you think, 1 month on Sulpiride 50-100 mg and 4 days Risperidone 4 mg, 4 days Risperidone 3 mg and two weeks Risperidone 2 mg is a lot? what are the chances of a full recovery?
Hey, I wouldn't say it’s a lot in terms of it being so much that it prevents a full recovery.
While I prefer not to guarantee a 100% recovery, since there are always extreme cases, I always advise people to think as if they _will_ make a full recovery - some day. Most of the people I’ve talked to did reach that point.* In your case, I’m sure you’ll get there eventually too.
Just avoid some of the forums and whatnot where you might encounter a bunch of folks telling you it won’t happen. That stuff can really screw with your head.
*Just to clarify: I don’t mean they’ve recovered from all their life’s problems. But they’re no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms, acute or otherwise, or any other issues related to being on, and coming off, meds. For the most part. Some do have to deal with things like the wear and tear on their bodies related to drug-induced weight gain. You know, things like that. (It’s hard to give a simple answer to most questions on the topic of coming-off-psych-drugs since there can be a need to provide a lot of qualifiers.)
Video me now? Help me tell my story? I got a complex compelling situation where a lot can be said. I am two years off meds. I got sucked into VA Behavior Health Psychiatry People are trying to forcibly drug me despite living an upstanding productive life.
Hey man! Someone i know took sertraline, risperidone, xeplion, and benzodiazepines for 2-3 months. This is considered long term. What can you do to heal the brain from these drugs? Will the brain heal again?
Hi! How he's doing today?
Is it possible that some people might need some meds, I’ve been off mine for 4 months and I have not been able to do what I was doing since I was on psych meds 4 months of not being functional
Hey Matt, I’m really sorry the last 4 months have been so difficult. All of us here definitely know what you’re going through and wish you the best!
Regarding whether or not meds are needed for some: it’s currently much harder than it ought to be for folks to figure out just how helpful, let alone necessary, the meds are. Many people who believe they need them because of how bad they feel after stopping them are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms often get misidentified by prescribers as a return and/or worsening of the symptoms of a disorder. This doesn’t give patients a fair chance to figure out what they really need.
It actually leads to countless people believing they need the meds to function, when in reality, they may only “need” them to stave off withdrawal.
I'll offer up a personal anecdote as an example: when I was around 17, a psychiatrist took me off the meds so I could see how I’d do without them. I’d been on psych meds of various kinds for about 6 years at that point. But he did it so fast I had to go back on them almost immediately. It was too destabilizing. He had no clue about withdrawal symptoms. I started feeling better as soon as the meds were reinstated (as is typically the case when the problems are withdrawal related). As a result, I began to believe I needed them to function. And of course, so did the doctor.
7 years later I was given a chance to come off them _much_ more slowly by a different doc. That’s when I realized that psych drug withdrawal was the greatest source of my off-meds misery.
I still have my struggles, I’ve simply chosen to deal with them without psychiatry’s help. I do much better this way. But to each their own!
And really, each person should be free to make up their own mind about how helpful and/or necessary the meds are. We just haven’t reached a point yet where we get all the info and help that we need and deserve from our doctors. Until we get that, figuring out who needs what is a long and messy game of guessing.
With all that said, I wish you the best on your own journey and much love to you.
I was prescribed meds for anxiety and being on them for a year. They caused terrible OCD. I’m in the process of getting off, but so terrified Ocd will torture me even worse after stopping meds. How did you manage your OCD after you stopped your medication? Did you improve?
Thank you so much for your response. I mostly suffer from obsessive thoughts- I don’t have physical rituals. But, as far as my practice goes I realize controlling thoughts is impossible. How unfair to us .... being treated for anxiety we end up with terrible side effects from meds. I found your TH-cam through Laura Delano:)
Hey bro i hope u everything has settled for u ..
One thing i wanted to ask long ago ; was it a linear improvement for u? Like each year there is a tiny improvement? Are ur enotions back bro? Hows ur brain reaction to big event? Do u feel that dopamine rush again? Is ur anxiety ever gettin better?
Im afraid bro we reach acertain level of improvement and that wont be enough?! Is there 100% recovery bro? How u feelin after 6 years? Is it always going better?
Russell B yea bro im having a hard time either and its make the symptoms way worse! I can relate bro each year there is alittle improvement but still not have enough of the recovery process; i know that uve had been dealing with hard periods too and everyone knows quiting antipsychotics is not the same of any antidepressant but way worse..
I hope u find the way till the end bro , life has many stucks and ups and downs , i hope we make it thru all of us ..
Peace bro 🙏🏻
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
@@wassimhajj2999 how are you today?
Thanks man I'm feeling the same way but hope is all I got. am on benzodiazepines
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how did you get off the drugs?
Hiii how do you lose weight??? I have 7 years without antipsychotics but I still feel heavy, I feel that everything I eat becomes fat
@@russellbyt thanks for answering!! I didn't expect it :) no I'm not on any med since then, no vaccines either, no antibiotics, not anymore, I had a very difficult childhood and when I learned mindfulness everything was way easier, but I used to be super skinny and now it's weird, I was thinking about intermittent fasting to don't stimulate dopamine receptors all the time, BTW I'm neuroscoentist, thanks for sharing your experience!
@@russellbyt hey bro did u have to excecise to lose weight or u just naturally lost it when u stopped meds
Hi how long you were on olanzapine meds at which mg And you long your side effects last and how are you now
i need help. i’m only 18. please help me bro
Any relief?
Ive been sick since 2014 been on antidepressants till 2017 and it was nightmare every single day then i started to take antipsychotics and i wasnt suffering anymore but i became numb but still better than wanting to kill yourself every single day... ive tried to quit APs but the serious problems come back right away, at this point i am stuck with these meds possibly for the rest of my life but i have hope for new medications that doesnt block dopamine... stay strong guys, you never know what future brings
@@russellbyt hello, its pleasure to get reply from you, ive been on very low doses of antipsychotic such as 0,5 - 1mg risperidone or 50mg of quetiapine so it wasnt that hard to taper slowly over few weeks but i became much worse, the real illness came back i almost lost hope but then me and my psychiatrist came to a conclusion i need higher dose of AP so she put me on 200mg XR and i still wasnt good so we were uping the dose to 600mg XR and now i am stable, that said i still cant work , but i can take care of my hygiene and stuff around house which is much better than being unable to get out of your bed. After those 6 years i know i triggered my brain for good and no medication can bring it back but i still have hope for new treatments. My official diagnosis is clinical depression with somatoform pain but you could say that i have all symptoms of "negative symptoms of schizophrenia".... i hope you stay healthy and in pursuit of your goals Russell.
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Did you take abilify and risperidone and did you recover from sexual side effects??
@@russellbyt thanks for the hope 🙏God bless
How do you feel now that you are off medication?
@@adriangraham1868 suicidal
U still fully recovered from sex side effects?
@@russellbyt I'm stressed feel like im dieing, 😫
@@russellbyt 2 months off abilify, risperidone , sex drive is down , stressing like crazy
Stress will b the end of me
@@russellbyt cold turkey took for 3 weeks , 30mg
@@CREEKSTx3how are you now
Forced treatment must be abolished
I wanna have contanct with you
HELPP!!!! PLEASE HELP!! GOD, PLEASE READ THIS I NEED HELP!!!
I'm a 19 year old who had a temporary anxiety. My physician offered another anxiety medication like it was nothing, (i've previously been on chlonodine hcl which helps for both hypetension and anxiety). I found out it was a psychiatric(Buspar/Buspirone) :/
No talk about how to use it, side-effects, how it works. And never told me it mitigates the brain. Never said it was a psychiatric drug.
The first time I took it, I definitely noticed a decline in cognitive-faculties. As I kept taking it however, I seemed to regain the ability to think, however, my memory
and the way I read (I tend to be VERY high in IQ, and read chunks ultra fast instead of slowly linearly from left to right) were downgraded.
I will admit I took them all over the place. I tried to stick with taking it at morning (4am when I wake up) and then another in the afternoon. But honestly sometimes I'd
forget and only ingest one. I made a follow up with my doctor once after the prescription and he told me it's until my brain adjusts. He had some point in there because i did kind of start seeing to regain my ability to think creatively but my way of reading was still changed from fast to slow and my memory was still bad.
I had a realization realizing wtf I was taking and realizing it alters my brain and noticing my memory not as good and reading linearly instead of how I normally read. I then decided to search this thing up. I found out it's a psychiatric drug that mitigates the brain and I just got
so fucking scared. I started searching up "buspar lowers intelligence." I've read some posts on quora about people feeling as smart as they were before and on when going on even more powerful
things such as SSRI's (but then everyone is different). And other people saying "well if we define intelligence as the neurochemistry which is impacted by these drugs..." you get the point.
Generally I'm hyper-aware with my eyes always looking everywhere and ever since this medicine, it has gone away. Also, I stumbled upon these videos claiming that psychiatric medicatinos can be the devil for some
people: th-cam.com/video/qTfuhKWWbGU/w-d-xo.html
They say that it impedes cognitivie abilities, but what makes me think I can stay this sane is because my very High IQ (Stanford Binet 149) took the hit and I'm still
able to cognitively function.
I quit cold turkey. 10 days ago was the last time I took it, after taking it for 3weeks/month. However, I did not know that quitting cold turkey was a bad thing. No one ever had these conversations
with me, and I really do feel like a victim :(
I'm scared that quitting Cold Turkey will do brain damage, but I searched it just lists the withdrawal side effects as more severe. I just don't know what to do man. Please someone just tell me what to do to get out of this mess.
I don't want to feel hopeless. Please don't put any blame on me, I admit that I was ignorant. In fact, I grew up in a bubble of my ethnic community (Mexican) and
didn't really find out the difference between an entree and an appetizer til like a month ago or two.
I've also seen other posts on reddit about brainfog on buspirone/buspar, and no one believing them. But I do.
I'm just so scared.
Jesus is the answer
Love you man!