As someone who has gone through 3 different withdrawals (Clonazapam, Lexapro and Lamictal) I never fully healed even after waiting for years while on the drugs. I stabilised to a degree but never healed. It’s been 9 plus years now of psych med injury. I pray to god when I get off this last 0.3mg of Lamictal next month that my nervous system will finally start to heal and give me my life and true self back.
Lamctal is a hell of a drug. And this is a drug considered to have least amount of side effects. But it is not. The withdrawal is also horrendous. Continue your slow taper. This is worse than benzo and seroquel combined.
@@Ann-l7x I’ve been having some weakness spells horrible, I get chest pressure, feel I can’t breathe right, at night I feel I am going to faint from sleeping. It’s horrible. I am tapering slow, but even at that it’s horrible. I just want this drug out. It didn’t even help me with anything
@@martinez4560 the cognitive dysfunction, insomnia and light sensitivity and emotional blunting really got to me. And i am not sure what it helped with. Bevause of this, I ended up on extra 3 drugs for insomnia. Getting off last one now with a slow taper.
I’m currently at the end of my taper of Klonopin. I have never been able to stabilize while holding. I have been on Klonopin for 30 years and it has caused me horrible anxiety and depression that I never had before. I was actually diagnosed with MS 30 years ago and was put on this drug. Why? I have no idea. It has messed me up throughout the years. I sought out a new neurologist 2 years ago and he told me I did not have MS, that it was probably the Klonopin causing all the symptoms I had been dealing with. That’s when I started my taper. It’s been a rough road but I plan to finish and go from there. Not once did I stop or updose. Took 1mg. At bedtime all these years. Very frustrating to know I was given this benzo from a misdiagnoses. Thank you for reading.
@@lula19_21 Sure! I tapered 14 months. 2% a week. I did an 8% cut a month using sandpaper and a Gemini scale. The key is to go slow and steady. I finished my taper 8 days ago.
If Seroquel had stabilized my daughter, and NOT caused her incredible damage, awesome! But, here we are: she continues almost a three-year taper, and has become increasingly deliberated, to the point of almost completely non-functional, with next to no cognition. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Doesn’t seem to be any answer for some.
Even the Ashton manual says slow tapering will cause withdrawal. However there will not be psychoses, seizures, and other life threatening events. It was unrealistic of me to expect no withdrawal symptoms at all. I am currently following a slow taper according to Ashton manual. Valium 2mg. Today, i had to lay down and breath deeply. No sounds, no lights. I use supplements like magnesium Threonate, L-Theanine, Taurine, GABA as needed.
I used to think getting of the med as quickly as possible was the way to go. After 3 attempts of that not working I am now on 53.25mg Effexor and decreasing 2.5mg monthly as long as I am stable. I am really glad you emphasized the stability part. Stay where you are until your stable before decreasing is the way to go. if all my monthly tapers go well I should be off in 6 years...but that's ok!!! I need to function and get enjoyment from life 😊. Thanks for this message I needed to hear that it's ok to go this slow and live!
I hate I must stay on klon 3 x day rest of life. I’m 84 and they make me so tired and I have no life. I’m just stuck because I tried to taper and failed after going down 30%. I hate this drug. I hate being drugged at my age.
This interview was exactly what I needed to hear! I've been holding my current Effexor dose for close to two years, but I don't feel stable enough to taper further. I am going to continue holding until I feel fully ready. Thanks for this video and for the great work you are doing!
I’m 75 & have been stable on my meds for 20plus years. Never increased drugs, never added or changed. It’s been a perfect protocol. No adverse side effects. I lead a normal life. But - I am being forced off my drugs
If you have been stable on these drugs for over 20 years then why are you being forced to stop taking these drugs? Are you going to be weined off SLOWLY?
Drs are forcing patients off meds like paxil and benzos because of the Beers Criteria. The Beers Criteria is a suggestion for preventing falls among the elderly. Unfortunately, some doctors don't know how use common sense when faced with the suggestion and assume it means to take the patient off their meds cold turkey. It happened to me in Dec 2023.@s.o.c.2669
Finally managed to stabilize with tobacco, only to now be told to quit or face really bad consequences. It's freaking me out. Tapering induces alarming shifts into harsh mood swings, the depression and anxiety way high, harsh and ugly. So sometimes one faces a situation where there is no choice but to go cold turkey, with stabilization as a goal thrown to the winds. Just smoked a cigarette, and sure it did calm me back down. But at such a price. Per metaphysical considerations that can not be avoided, it's become a deadly vice.
Thank you for bringing clarity to the terminology used in many of the forums. So agree that stability and functionality are of paramount importance not the rate of taper. As you have said, once Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall it’s hard to put the pieces back together.
THANK YOU for talking about this! I slowly tapered off Clonazepam and suffered immense nervous system dysregulayion. After coming off, I questioned for so long if I could ever be ok because I’m still on Sertraline. I want to get off that too, but damn that felt SCARY to even think about when I was suffering. I’m almost 2 years off the benzo now, still on Sertraline (for now) and I can say I’m feeling good and living a happy life. ❤
I did not heal at all during my 2.5 year taper..... I finally started very slowly feeling better about 3 months after my taper ended. I was just on 1 drug... Ativan for 2 weeks. and it was the first drug I had ever taken...besides antibiotics. I developed tolerance in less than 1 week.... I also personally know 7 people that took Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax or Valium from between 1 and over 20 years... EVERY ONE OF THEM quit cold turkey and had ZERO effects when they did.... (1 girl said she felt a little funny for about a week after she quit). ...now at about 5 years later..I am 100% healed and COMPLETELY back to normal and on ZERO drugs of any kind.
This is so positive and helpful. I really needed to hear this, because I've been pressuring myself to get off Ativan (.05), and Paxil (10mg.) And I've been scaring myself thinking about all that could happen. This gives me such a sense of relief. I can take my time, without putting myself into a state of illness, horrific symptoms and deregulation. Thank you!
As a healthcare provider/ tapering too I think the Age of the person is important to consider to prevent any further damage... tapering can really trigger other disease / cognitive problems too
This guy speaks my language, didn’t think this way for a while and it’s why I’m taking medication for PSSD, it’s not healing me but it’s helping my symptoms. I’m pursuing further treatments, would like to get down to the bottom of the root causes but that’ll happen in time. Stability is important, i spiraled too far down with my iatrogenic conditions that I’ve accepted that I need to just take something because I was getting sicker, not better. I lost so many years, I need to feel ok, I’m just not taking the offending medications ever that’s my only caveat for me. The differences is, I didn’t take meds long enough, I became sick fast and quit fast, some people are stable on what they take, some people were never stable to begin with
@@simonsays9218 adderall 15mg XR, haven’t needed a dose change, only time it doesn’t work is when I don’t get sleep so there’s often days I don’t take it because the side effects are really bad without rest, food… anxiety can be an issue, it’s of course a risky medication, I just don’t care as it’s helping me. I’d much rather have no medicine and will go to my grave shouting for reform so no one has to end up in my shoes. Not a cure by any means, partially effective for me.
Thank you for this! I was in that place - tapering from an SSRI because i'd been exposed to so much negative info about taking antidepressants. Got to a place where i was considering how i was going to commit suicide. Finally i agreed to go back on an antidepressant. Just 10 days in so we'll see. But i felt tremendous shame about "failing" withdrawal. But i'm alive. Had my first major depression at 18 (i'm 68) so it's not a situational problem. I've tried so many natural methods, spending thousands of dollars, but none gave me enough relief from depression to be reasonably functional. I'm trying to be ok with my decision now.
Dear Sears111 - I feel you on that. Been through a lot of that myself. Just work on building a life that has friends and exercise and good food. Be very gentle with yourself. Plan something to take your mind off the squirrels running through your mind in the middle of the night. Listen to something calming on TH-cam. Take deep breaths. Call your buddy. Go to the beach. I love you, because you are my brother or sister and I wish you luck.
I was wondering when this perspective would be addresses. I’m 63, my story is long and painful. I honestly don’t have the stamina to try to get off this shit again. I just want to be stable considering my age.
The thing with tolerance is that you often don't know it is tolerance and doctors assume you have a worsening of underlying condition and throw more drugs at a problem that was created by drugs in the first place.
@@Ann-l7x sometimes you do know that it is tolerance, but no other med works. That is the real nightmare. And sometimes the condition was not caused by drugs. I was so ill, I tried for a whole year to do without drugs, but could only function on drugs. This author is too simplistic. The entire problem is so much more complex than he makes out. Sometimes drugs are the only thing that help.
@@MP-gz3zx I have been ill for over 20 years, getting progressively worse. Each time I got more psych drugs. Even though the point of me getting sick started with prozac. It took me decades to realise. I have now tapered off. Got about 20% left of the last drug. The withdrawals have been rough, but the adverse effects have been worse. And not 1 nedical professional picked it up,,or wanted to. Most of my 'mysteey' ailments and chronic invisible illnessees cleared up, or is renarkable better as the drugs work out my syatem. Hopefully I will get back to baseline. At no point did I ever think of prescription drugs creating tolerance or interdose withdrawal or dependency. I am sure some people do figure it out or their doctors tell them, but many of us live through agony and all medical tests come up negative. Inforned consent is very necessary.
You talk alot about taking the meds against your will because it is enabling you to function an enjoy life again. How do you cope with this dilemma - how do you make yourself do this? Every time I try to cut I become so imbalanced with 24/7 dizziness I can't function, but it doesn't seem to be within my personality to be able to sit and hold, it is just so hard and antithetical to where I want to be that I seem almost physically incapable of not trying to keep tapering. I get so distressed about being stuck on the meds, it feels like a nightmare. How do you come to peace about it?
nuance is definitely a good way to put it. there was a reason for many who were put on meds, to try meds, because it seemed like a sensible risk to take for people with severe mood disregulation. balance may look different for different people it's not a one size fits all recipe
With all due respect I disagree with this guy. If you had a heroin addict the only way you'd say you heal is to get off all the gear. Yeah it's gonna hurt. I'm very proud of going cold turkey off these drugs and that's what they are, drugs, not medicine. I believe time is a great healer. Add in exercise, clean eating, intermittent fasting. Healing is a long process.
I'm so glad you were able to get off the psych drugs. Doing it cold turkey is rare and it can be very dangerous to stop abruptly. Experts advise tapering slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms. You're right about exercise, eating healthy and intermittent fasting; all good for physical and mental health. Probiotics are also good for depression as well as adequate vitamin D. Congratulations on getting of the meds!
@@faitht3643 thanks. I didn't use the right phrase there. I did taper over a few months. But I'm completely off psych meds now. I've still got a long way to go but I think my body has the best chance without any further drugs coming in.
I got myself in that dilemma where I was taking Klonopin twice a day at around .34mg a day and yes the lower I went down the more the medication made me feel worse. Very very strangely I slowly over a course of time managed to now take one dose during the day and it helped me hold a lot more tremendously. Don’t get me wrong my days are still very very rough but switching to one dose a day at the end of my taper has helped but it did take time to switch from twice a day to once
I got worse, much, much worse after an 8 month hold. There is no one-size-fits-all for withdrawal. Also, some people get better while tapering. The process is too individualized and complex.
Dr Josef, id love to hear what you think about concurrent microtapers. Im currently tapering of 2 x benzos, and plan to get of them completely before beginning to taper of Serequel. I know everyone is on a different cocktail of meds, but if you have any guidelines, id love you to do a video on it. Thank you for your great work
yeah, but you know what? i didnt need to be medicated at first! so how can i not want to taper, my problems came from being in meds not before.. 18 yrs passed by and still strugglin...
There is indeed a big issue concerning how these drugs cause symptoms that did not exist before, and when you try to get off meds they get worse so you need to go back on medicine to contain symptoms that weren't even there before taking meds
Dear dr Josef please talk more about the sad truth that psychiatric drugs can induce psychosis. It is as a brutal fact as our inhumane reality where people can be forced to take such drugs, even be injected with against their will...
The side effects..just one: memory loss 24/7 (xanax is causing this) also after 20yrs it doesn't even work. What's the point of living if unable to forge memories and remember you're life while simultaneously being disinhibited and acting like you're not in control of yourself? For me living in fear/terror is the best way to explain my current situation.
I know people that have been holding for years and did not stabilize. I have been off for yeeeeeeears myself and am unbearably sick. So, Chris believes rapid taper people do not feel better? That's what I understood.
@@Dr_rigatoni He's still a CT from benzos. He never went back on. That's the point - he got put on new meds in "rehab" that didn't help him, but he became physically dependent on them, and instead of ripping himself off of those while in a horrific CT w/d from benzos, and making himself even sicker, he waited and held on them. He healed from the benzo WD underneath, in spite of the other meds being present, and is now slowly microtapering the adjunctive meds he got stuck on while in detox and is fully functional and having a much better time of it.
I understand him completely. 3mg klonipin 25 years now. Been pulled 3 times since 2019. Worst insanity I've ever not known. Ruined my life. I need the medication to survive. My uncle was dropped 1.5 MG from 3. He passed away in 6 days. Sadly it works just stopping it or abusing is not smart. I can't taper. I tried dropping a quarter MG I had full psychosis. Destroyed 4 great guitar 2 new tvs. My record collection in a month. Terrible idea
I agree with Chris, is better to be regulated and be cautious with the medication. I don t like take my medication but i can be funcionality, i not have family, i only have my boyfriend and i need to work. I had cold turkey and was horrible, i have tinnitus, but fortunality i can sleep with Diazepan.
This guy is lucky he hasn't been poisoned. For me poisoning happened over time and I am 100% sure my many symptoms are worse every time I take each of my meds.
Yes, I believe this can happen as well. Some people might not stabilize, even with a long hold. I did not. So rather than adding other drugs and/or continuing to hold, I am tapering. Healing is taking place during the taper, otherwise there wouldn’t be symptoms.
@@suecobb-werner hi Sue, my hold was 8 months. I held at 10mg for 8 months and unfortunately things got much worse at the end of the 8 months. I was puzzled.
What were the accumulations from the first time Chris was taken off Clonazepam? Important. He’s saying tolerance doesn’t exist? What if you never raised your dose or come off and the drug seemed to stop working?
Hi chris, I said the wrong time it is at 21:18 you say I dont see people rapid taper and get better. I am a cold turkey with reactions to other single doses of drugs and now in a set back because of a non psych med and severly protracted so I am very very terrfied. I have extreme akathisia. If you could say what you meant by that? Thanks.
Perhaps you can talk to your doctor and give something to stabilize. I quit Cold turkey the Ativan while being in withdrawal from lexapro. Ive become so horrifically ill that I heeded to reinstate the Ativan. Its not fully working but my new Benzo wise doctor says i will stabilise in 2 to 3 months and then we can attempt a slow tapper.
Thanks so much. However what if your 30 months off, rapidly taken off two weeks .25 klonopin, and 4 month taper .25 zoloft before the Benzo. My doctor didn’t help. I was told NOT to reinstate this late out. Just wondering is it to late to try and stabilize now? Thanks. Paula
minty: sorry do not have the answer but wanted to say that am saying a prayer that the doctor or someone that knows will provide an answer. personally would think that not reinstating is probably the answer but it bothers that you are having these difficulties after being off these poisons for 30 months. sincerely hope that someone provides guidance...just wanted to offer moral support.
I just got back on a small amount again after 4 year cause i dididnt know what else to do my body was literally eating its self not sleeping for days on in i felt like i was going to die so thats what i did for a month now idk if it was the right choice but im getting sleep and keep my job cause i was to the point where i would just keep caliing off cause i couldnt function
Smoking my weed terpenes I need to survive and function while feeling that sensation when your guest said their suffering and it’s so hard for them .. I’m paraphrasing… I felt that because I wan a help other people like me that are suffering . and I’m on welfare in Canada . 40 yr old Chinese women ,and I think about lower income people how they are doing . It’s worse than heroin withdrawals and methadone taper slowly by a professional genuine caring addiction doctor helped me taper but beginning was hell but helped in the long run . Never thought I be in a similar situation but this time it was my ex doctor (I usually swear at her name).., fault! This time it’s the venlafaxine. Black brain ? Has it been identified what it is yet because I would like to say mine that I think are symptoms . My med stopped working out of nowhere and losing weight bones out like eww. Can’t drink or eat . No function unless I have weed with certain terpenes in them to amazement to me helps me eat and function. But money is low and I don’t know how long I’ll last because as y’all know it’s death and torture suffering plus I have undiagnosed chronic pains .
I had akithisia, I had no idea what was happening to me, I went to the emergency room, and kept telling them "I don't feel comftable in my own body" it's the only way I could explain what I felt. They had no idea what was wrong with me, they diagnosed me with blood poisoning. It was about 3 months after I found out what it was. I only found out because I'm trying to beat pregabalin dependency, so I've been trying to find out as much information as I can about withdrawals, I found out benzodiazepans cause akithisia, I remembered I was taking xanax at the time, so put 1 and 1 together
I'm currently stuck on 450 mg of seroquel. I feel like if I'd tapered I'd end up psychotic again cause even just missing a dose a month ago brought back some symptoms I was experiencing pre medication. I guess my best choice for now is to just hold my current dose and hope the akathisia subsides on it's own. Or should I try an akathisia med like propranolol?
Yeah there is a lot of pressure in the benzo groups to get off the meds and suffer. I guess part of the issue is that many are worried they’ll be cold turkeyed or rapid tapered so for me I feel a sense of urgency to get off this stuff…but I’m not tolerating even a micro micro taper very well….:-( The doctors have a final call if they’ll keep prescribing it long enough so you can take your time getting off the stuff. :(
W/all due respect, Mr. Paige; I completely disagree w/ur stance RE: the ability 2 heal while on psych meds. After 30+ different psych meds ovr a 44-yr period b4 becoming psych med-free since 1/1//2017 (my DOB: 7/20/1967); the cumulative negative side effects overrode the "benefits". Granted; it varies from each individual but the manner in how psych meds work, I'm actually better off drinking beer.
This man went through extreme akathisia hell for years, how was he to get off the others he was on in that state. He’s going slow with the others to remain sane and functional. It sounds reasonable to me.
@@Waves353 Dude; if u actually READ my comment (the 1 that ur reply pertains 2), it took me 44 YRS on 30+; different psych meds 2 experience the EXACT SAME FBS (e.g.:;Akathisia, Tardive Dyskinesia, Lethargy, etc.) as Mr. Paige did. Despite that, Mr. Paige apparently still in FAVOR of psych meds (@ least that's how I interpreted it). I wasn't belittling nor denying Mr. Paige's experience @ all. All that I said was based on how psych meds work (again; it's based on my personal experiences w/them), most people r better off drinking beer. I'm NOT condoning drinking @'all despite partaking in it; all I'm saying's that the harmful effects of alcohol r lesser than the harmful effects of psych meds. THAT'S the point that I was attempting 2 convey here.
@@billybandyk0720 I have spoken to Chris and he is not in favour of meds, he was loaded with them when ct from benzo I agree re booze tbh. Sorry if I misread your message, head a mess here, was poly drugged for a relatively fairly minor issue rendering me batshit cray.
You make valid points but is this guy a doctor that can prescribe medications? Not everyone has the ability to have a prescriber that will indefinitely prescribe these meds and absolutely no control over their " taper ". So if the scope of the training was counseling how can it legally cross over into medication ?
I walked through the fires of hell to be off the meds. And I’m almost healed. The point is to get off the meds because overall they are not good for long term health. And at some point, they will turn on you again and you’ll be back to the beginning. With all due respect, this sounds like a way to legitimize not coming off the meds which is not ideal overall. I became very sick the first week on klonopin. And I know lots like me.
You're almost healed...and lucky you for that. But what about the people who are being encouraged to "just get off" and who go on to be protracted for a decade or more, with a total loss of everything (function, job, family, friends)? Then what?
@@nicolelambic some of us don’t get a choice between hell and something else. That choice is already made for us. I don’t care how long it takes me to heal. I surely wasn’t staying on the poison waiting indefinitely for something to come right. I was sick from day one. Some of us don’t stabilize. EVER. You’ve been around the block in this community more than anyone. You should know that.
Approx 20:16 he says I dont see people with rapid taper get better. Very scary and dangerous thing to say 😢 other coaches say differently. So cold turkey and rapid taper no chance? I am very sick after many years and very very very terrified! @IARP22
I clearly state people can rapid taper and get better at that exact point in the interview. It is just very risky and I sadly see it go very bad for others.
General consensus of people that have cold turkied or rapid tapered is they wish they had never done it. This comes from the thousands upon thousands of people on the various benzo forums.
@@IARP22 thank you, you did say that sentence I mentioned too, so it terrfied me. I am very very sick with akathisia and everything terrifies me. I am so sick and don't know what to do. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.
Chris you may still have side effects of current drugs, the stabilisation often is a cruel excuse for psychiatric paradigm to drug people to the point they as stable as a vegatable, unable to express their suffering due to the tranquilising and debilitating side effects. I know you are coming from a differen place but I think it is very important to bare it in mind. Sure you need to be careful, and that is different for everyone. But sure these drugs are toxic and do more harm if any good...often causing destabilisation e.g. akathesia, tardive dyskinesia, heart problems, diabetes, brain shrinkage, dystonia, problems with kidneys and what not.
There are serious problems with this guy's narrative. He makes broad platitudes that are bizarre. The talking about the somebody saying that people should get off meds rapidly is nonsense. The narrative around a) the tendency to begin people on medication for sub-acute conditions 2) the cultural belief that it is necessary to continue medication once a person is stabilized and 3) the difficulties in finding a doctor who will help a client taper responsibly needs to change. If these three things are addressed it would make videos like this obsolete. Also, some people do better off meds, and even a protracted rapid withdrawal is better than the medication merry-go-round. He is stating that his way is right and other opinions are wrong when the truth is, once you have been on psych meds for years you are damaged and there are no good options. The fact that people who have been on psych meds for years ALL think in terms of stability WHETHER THEY ARE ON MEDS OF HAVE COME OFF is the hallmark of broken system. Also of note is the fact that people who try to come off psych medications have better outcomes, regardless of whether or not they succeed. That is the truth. Let us not criticize each other but lift each other up.
Can you heal while taking one or many poisons? No. Specially when taking a drug for conditions that have no known biological marker like depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc. There is nothing to drug the poor person for. Remember the greek word pharmakon. Greek word for drug was pharmakon, which means: *1) poison* 2) ally 3) scapegoat Best wishes.
Blank statements like this are simplistic. There are millions of people on these meds who are fine, so arsenic they are not. They do have serious risks, but each person is different, and getting off isn't possible or the best option for everyone.
@@mcb00 Blank statements? Medics and psychiatrists are much much more ignorant than damaged by drugs communities. They ignore drugs have to be tapered, they ignore these drugs cause many persistent damages, they ignore these drugs cause very long protracted withdrawals if not persistent neurological damage, they ignore these drugs are addictive / cause dependence. Good luck finding a wise doctor today. They are pharma employees selling drugs wholesale like they are candy. Also psychiatry has no scientific foundations, medics and psychiatrists founded antipsychiatry when realizing this, not me. Best wishes.
Fixing to come off of my Ativan after 20 years Dr nonchalantly told me oh we're going to try to get you off of some of your meds what she meant to say without saying it was we're going to take you off of your anxiety pills now that you're 69 knowing that that will be hard at that age remind me to do this and I guess she must think it's awfully funny I don't see any humor in it or she's extremely uneducated about it the way she said it was oh we're going to take you off of all your meds and let you sink or swim how and Humane these doctors are this doctor here who is a doctor from Houston which is where I live absolutely knows what he's talking about I think Baylor is one of the best hospitals in Texas too bad my primary doctor doesn't have a clue about anything except that she's going to cause a lot of damage
I held on a SSRI for 3 years too. I'm 19 months off now after 16 years of use. I'm not out of the woods, but I'm on the right path.
As someone who has gone through 3 different withdrawals (Clonazapam, Lexapro and Lamictal) I never fully healed even after waiting for years while on the drugs. I stabilised to a degree but never healed. It’s been 9 plus years now of psych med injury. I pray to god when I get off this last 0.3mg of Lamictal next month that my nervous system will finally start to heal and give me my life and true self back.
What symptoms did you experince from lamictal if trying to get off too fast. I’m going through the same and it’s been tough. Thanks
Lamctal is a hell of a drug. And this is a drug considered to have least amount of side effects. But it is not. The withdrawal is also horrendous. Continue your slow taper. This is worse than benzo and seroquel combined.
@@Ann-l7x I’ve been having some weakness spells horrible, I get chest pressure, feel I can’t breathe right, at night I feel I am going to faint from sleeping. It’s horrible. I am tapering slow, but even at that it’s horrible. I just want this drug out. It didn’t even help me with anything
@@martinez4560 the cognitive dysfunction, insomnia and light sensitivity and emotional blunting really got to me. And i am not sure what it helped with. Bevause of this, I ended up on extra 3 drugs for insomnia. Getting off last one now with a slow taper.
How you ever withdrew from a benzo? It is horrific, to me more horrific than the Lexapro I am also withdrawing from
This is what I’ve been saying. I don’t care if it takes me ten years, I will never taper too quickly again.
I’m currently at the end of my taper of Klonopin. I have never been able to stabilize while holding. I have been on Klonopin for 30 years and it has caused me horrible anxiety and depression that I never had before. I was actually diagnosed with MS 30 years ago and was put on this drug. Why? I have no idea. It has messed me up throughout the years. I sought out a new neurologist 2 years ago and he told me I did not have MS, that it was probably the Klonopin causing all the symptoms I had been dealing with. That’s when I started my taper. It’s been a rough road but I plan to finish and go from there. Not once did I stop or updose. Took 1mg. At bedtime all these years. Very frustrating to know I was given this benzo from a misdiagnoses.
Thank you for reading.
That's amazing that you had a neurologist recognize that it was the benzo causing all your symptoms.
@@staceyseymour9297 I know! He’s been a blessing. He doesn’t prescribe them in his practice because he knows the harm they cause.
We need many more doctors like him.@@juliehatton1961
Would you mind sharing how you managed your dosage during your tapering off?
Are you completely free from klonopin now?
Thanks 🙏
@@lula19_21 Sure! I tapered 14 months. 2% a week. I did an 8% cut a month using sandpaper and a Gemini scale. The key is to go slow and steady. I finished my taper 8 days ago.
If Seroquel had stabilized my daughter, and NOT caused her incredible damage, awesome! But, here we are: she continues almost a three-year taper, and has become increasingly deliberated, to the point of almost completely non-functional, with next to no cognition. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Doesn’t seem to be any answer for some.
😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤
Even the Ashton manual says slow tapering will cause withdrawal. However there will not be psychoses, seizures, and other life threatening events. It was unrealistic of me to expect no withdrawal symptoms at all. I am currently following a slow taper according to Ashton manual. Valium 2mg. Today, i had to lay down and breath deeply. No sounds, no lights. I use supplements like magnesium Threonate, L-Theanine, Taurine, GABA as needed.
I used to think getting of the med as quickly as possible was the way to go. After 3 attempts of that not working I am now on 53.25mg Effexor and decreasing 2.5mg monthly as long as I am stable. I am really glad you emphasized the stability part. Stay where you are until your stable before decreasing is the way to go. if all my monthly tapers go well I should be off in 6 years...but that's ok!!! I need to function and get enjoyment from life 😊. Thanks for this message I needed to hear that it's ok to go this slow and live!
How were you rapid tapers? How long were you off the drug before going back on?
Thanks for sharing your experience. You’ve got this.
go slow and live- 100%
I hate I must stay on klon 3 x day rest of life. I’m 84 and they make me so tired and I have no life. I’m just stuck because I tried to taper and failed after going down 30%. I hate this drug. I hate being drugged at my age.
@@patsygabel1062❤
I agree 1000% with this. I agree and I am holding my ssri because I am not stabilized from a benzo wd. U said this perfectly!!
This interview was exactly what I needed to hear! I've been holding my current Effexor dose for close to two years, but I don't feel stable enough to taper further. I am going to continue holding until I feel fully ready. Thanks for this video and for the great work you are doing!
Hello, have you started your taper again?
I’m 75 & have been stable on my meds for 20plus years. Never increased drugs, never added or changed. It’s been a perfect protocol. No adverse side effects. I lead a normal life. But - I am being forced off my drugs
In the exact situation. Thank you for your comment
That's great not many get that.
Congratulations ❤
If you have been stable on these drugs for over 20 years then why are you being forced to stop taking these drugs? Are you going to be weined off SLOWLY?
Why are you being forced? That's so sad if things have been working and smoothly. I pray it doesn't happen
Drs are forcing patients off meds like paxil and benzos because of the Beers Criteria. The Beers Criteria is a suggestion for preventing falls among the elderly. Unfortunately, some doctors don't know how use common sense when faced with the suggestion and assume it means to take the patient off their meds cold turkey. It happened to me in Dec 2023.@s.o.c.2669
Finally managed to stabilize with tobacco, only to now be told to quit or face really bad consequences.
It's freaking me out. Tapering induces alarming shifts into harsh mood swings, the depression and anxiety way high, harsh and ugly.
So sometimes one faces a situation where there is no choice but to go cold turkey, with stabilization as a goal thrown to the winds.
Just smoked a cigarette, and sure it did calm me back down. But at such a price. Per metaphysical considerations that can not be
avoided, it's become a deadly vice.
Thank you for bringing clarity to the terminology used in many of the forums. So agree that stability and functionality are of paramount importance not the rate of taper. As you have said, once Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall it’s hard to put the pieces back together.
THANK YOU for talking about this!
I slowly tapered off Clonazepam and suffered immense nervous system dysregulayion. After coming off, I questioned for so long if I could ever be ok because I’m still on Sertraline. I want to get off that too, but damn that felt SCARY to even think about when I was suffering.
I’m almost 2 years off the benzo now, still on Sertraline (for now) and I can say I’m feeling good and living a happy life. ❤
Happy for you.
I did not heal at all during my 2.5 year taper..... I finally started very slowly feeling better about 3 months after my taper ended. I was just on 1 drug... Ativan for 2 weeks. and it was the first drug I had ever taken...besides antibiotics. I developed tolerance in less than 1 week.... I also personally know 7 people that took Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax or Valium from between 1 and over 20 years... EVERY ONE OF THEM quit cold turkey and had ZERO effects when they did.... (1 girl said she felt a little funny for about a week after she quit). ...now at about 5 years later..I am 100% healed and COMPLETELY back to normal and on ZERO drugs of any kind.
Thank you for sharing your story.
@Pattycakes-hc4pm Because as soon as I started to cut down..all HELL broke loose
This is so positive and helpful. I really needed to hear this, because I've been pressuring myself to get off Ativan (.05), and Paxil (10mg.) And I've been scaring myself thinking about all that could happen. This gives me such a sense of relief. I can take my time, without putting myself into a state of illness, horrific symptoms and deregulation. Thank you!
I’ll never ever, ever go back to more pills. Never.
As a healthcare provider/ tapering too I think the Age of the person is important to consider to prevent any further damage... tapering can really trigger other disease / cognitive problems too
This guy speaks my language, didn’t think this way for a while and it’s why I’m taking medication for PSSD, it’s not healing me but it’s helping my symptoms. I’m pursuing further treatments, would like to get down to the bottom of the root causes but that’ll happen in time.
Stability is important, i spiraled too far down with my iatrogenic conditions that I’ve accepted that I need to just take something because I was getting sicker, not better. I lost so many years, I need to feel ok, I’m just not taking the offending medications ever that’s my only caveat for me.
The differences is, I didn’t take meds long enough, I became sick fast and quit fast, some people are stable on what they take, some people were never stable to begin with
interesting, what are you taking
@@simonsays9218 adderall 15mg XR, haven’t needed a dose change, only time it doesn’t work is when I don’t get sleep so there’s often days I don’t take it because the side effects are really bad without rest, food… anxiety can be an issue, it’s of course a risky medication, I just don’t care as it’s helping me. I’d much rather have no medicine and will go to my grave shouting for reform so no one has to end up in my shoes.
Not a cure by any means, partially effective for me.
Is it adrenaline surge in taper with rapid hard heartbeat ? At 72 what is different between heart breathing problems and stroke. Heart problems.
Thank you for this! I was in that place - tapering from an SSRI because i'd been exposed to so much negative info about taking antidepressants. Got to a place where i was considering how i was going to commit suicide. Finally i agreed to go back on an antidepressant. Just 10 days in so we'll see. But i felt tremendous shame about "failing" withdrawal. But i'm alive. Had my first major depression at 18 (i'm 68) so it's not a situational problem. I've tried so many natural methods, spending thousands of dollars, but none gave me enough relief from depression to be reasonably functional. I'm trying to be ok with my decision now.
Makes complete sense to me. Functionality is important.
This is a very important question. What are people to do when they can no longer find a doctor to prescribe the benzo that keeps them stable?
Dear Sears111 - I feel you on that. Been through a lot of that myself. Just work on building a life that has friends and exercise and good food. Be very gentle with yourself. Plan something to take your mind off the squirrels running through your mind in the middle of the night. Listen to something calming on TH-cam. Take deep breaths. Call your buddy. Go to the beach. I love you, because you are my brother or sister and I wish you luck.
I was wondering when this perspective would be addresses. I’m 63, my story is long and painful. I honestly don’t have the stamina to try to get off this shit again. I just want to be stable considering my age.
Tolerance was just as bad.
The thing with tolerance is that you often don't know it is tolerance and doctors assume you have a worsening of underlying condition and throw more drugs at a problem that was created by drugs in the first place.
Yes I think so too
agree---
@@Ann-l7x sometimes you do know that it is tolerance, but no other med works. That is the real nightmare. And sometimes the condition was not caused by drugs. I was so ill, I tried for a whole year to do without drugs, but could only function on drugs. This author is too simplistic. The entire problem is so much more complex than he makes out. Sometimes drugs are the only thing that help.
@@MP-gz3zx I have been ill for over 20 years, getting progressively worse. Each time I got more psych drugs. Even though the point of me getting sick started with prozac. It took me decades to realise. I have now tapered off. Got about 20% left of the last drug. The withdrawals have been rough, but the adverse effects have been worse. And not 1 nedical professional picked it up,,or wanted to. Most of my 'mysteey' ailments and chronic invisible illnessees cleared up, or is renarkable better as the drugs work out my syatem. Hopefully I will get back to baseline. At no point did I ever think of prescription drugs creating tolerance or interdose withdrawal or dependency. I am sure some people do figure it out or their doctors tell them, but many of us live through agony and all medical tests come up negative. Inforned consent is very necessary.
Dr. Josef listen’s so patiently.
I am suffering. Can not find prescriber. It is cruel.
You talk alot about taking the meds against your will because it is enabling you to function an enjoy life again. How do you cope with this dilemma - how do you make yourself do this? Every time I try to cut I become so imbalanced with 24/7 dizziness I can't function, but it doesn't seem to be within my personality to be able to sit and hold, it is just so hard and antithetical to where I want to be that I seem almost physically incapable of not trying to keep tapering. I get so distressed about being stuck on the meds, it feels like a nightmare. How do you come to peace about it?
You wont see this but thank you for the look of geniune concern and anger doctor witt doring
nuance is definitely a good way to put it. there was a reason for many who were put on meds, to try meds, because it seemed like a sensible risk to take for people with severe mood disregulation. balance may look different for different people it's not a one size fits all recipe
With all due respect I disagree with this guy. If you had a heroin addict the only way you'd say you heal is to get off all the gear. Yeah it's gonna hurt. I'm very proud of going cold turkey off these drugs and that's what they are, drugs, not medicine.
I believe time is a great healer. Add in exercise, clean eating, intermittent fasting. Healing is a long process.
I'm so glad you were able to get off the psych drugs. Doing it cold turkey is rare and it can be very dangerous to stop abruptly. Experts advise tapering slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms. You're right about exercise, eating healthy and intermittent fasting; all good for physical and mental health. Probiotics are also good for depression as well as adequate vitamin D. Congratulations on getting of the meds!
@@faitht3643 thanks. I didn't use the right phrase there. I did taper over a few months. But I'm completely off psych meds now. I've still got a long way to go but I think my body has the best chance without any further drugs coming in.
Although this guy makes some good points. At least my D worked properly on the drugs. Quality of life matters
They’d probably be put on medication if they had a biological issue like heroin addiction
Jus thinking aloud… since methadone can help with heroin withdrawals, why don’t someone create something like that …for psychiatric drugs?
It would not be financially viable to have people off psych drugs. Profitable to keep people in the drug-dependence-cycle.
@@Ann-l7x 😞
@@Ann-l7x agree w/ you!!
very logical--big harma wants the dependance money, imo----would not surprise mr if they have something hidden.
Stabilization versus forced cessation into dysregulation 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
I got myself in that dilemma where I was taking Klonopin twice a day at around .34mg a day and yes the lower I went down the more the medication made me feel worse. Very very strangely I slowly over a course of time managed to now take one dose during the day and it helped me hold a lot more tremendously. Don’t get me wrong my days are still very very rough but switching to one dose a day at the end of my taper has helped but it did take time to switch from twice a day to once
I got worse, much, much worse after an 8 month hold. There is no one-size-fits-all for withdrawal. Also, some people get better while tapering. The process is too individualized and complex.
So should a person re-instate after 15 months CT from benzo? Non-functional, not working, no sleep and no cognition.
Good question. So sorry for your suffering.
I believe age is an important consideration. I am 65.
Dr Josef, id love to hear what you think about concurrent microtapers. Im currently tapering of 2 x benzos, and plan to get of them completely before beginning to taper of Serequel. I know everyone is on a different cocktail of meds, but if you have any guidelines, id love you to do a video on it. Thank you for your great work
Joseph what are your thoughts on Parnate ?
yeah, but you know what? i didnt need to be medicated at first! so how can i not want to taper, my problems came from being in meds not before.. 18 yrs passed by and still strugglin...
There is indeed a big issue concerning how these drugs cause symptoms that did not exist before, and when you try to get off meds they get worse so you need to go back on medicine to contain symptoms that weren't even there before taking meds
@@IntegratedSpirituality11 this! yes!
Dear dr Josef please talk more about the sad truth that psychiatric drugs can induce psychosis. It is as a brutal fact as our inhumane reality where people can be forced to take such drugs, even be injected with against their will...
If you’re stabilized, functional, regulated on medication then what’s the problem??
The side effects..just one: memory loss 24/7 (xanax is causing this) also after 20yrs it doesn't even work. What's the point of living if unable to forge memories and remember you're life while simultaneously being disinhibited and acting like you're not in control of yourself?
For me living in fear/terror is the best way to explain my current situation.
Pneumonitis. On X-ray - interstitial edema. Are these w/d ? 3 to 2 Ativan. I am trying to protect health.
Especially at age 72. Right ? I am a thumbprint. Not a chemistry experiment
I needed to hear this. This gives me so much hope.
Such a relief to hear this!!!
Where do I find a prescriber ? Desperate
That's an interesting point of view.
It's a wonder how anyone can function without a prescription for mental stability these days!
I know people that have been holding for years and did not stabilize. I have been off for yeeeeeeears myself and am unbearably sick. So, Chris believes rapid taper people do not feel better? That's what I understood.
He was rapid tapered. It sounds like he feels better.
@@Mary-bq2qj he was, but he is on drugs now, tapering slowly. His CNS stabilized on the drugs. So he's now not rapid tapered.
@@Dr_rigatoni He's still a CT from benzos. He never went back on. That's the point - he got put on new meds in "rehab" that didn't help him, but he became physically dependent on them, and instead of ripping himself off of those while in a horrific CT w/d from benzos, and making himself even sicker, he waited and held on them. He healed from the benzo WD underneath, in spite of the other meds being present, and is now slowly microtapering the adjunctive meds he got stuck on while in detox and is fully functional and having a much better time of it.
I understand him completely. 3mg klonipin 25 years now. Been pulled 3 times since 2019. Worst insanity I've ever not known. Ruined my life. I need the medication to survive. My uncle was dropped 1.5 MG from 3. He passed away in 6 days. Sadly it works just stopping it or abusing is not smart. I can't taper. I tried dropping a quarter MG I had full psychosis. Destroyed 4 great guitar 2 new tvs. My record collection in a month. Terrible idea
I'm on disability and destroyed but alive
Maybe you need to go even slower. And maybe switch to liquid taper to achieve this
@@martinez4560 how can we go slower??? we are alone i cannot make 2 mg o 0,05 mg of a drug by myself
What if your off med and haven’t stabilized should you reinstate?
I agree with Chris, is better to be regulated and be cautious with the medication. I don t like take my medication but i can be funcionality, i not have family, i only have my boyfriend and i need to work. I had cold turkey and was horrible, i have tinnitus, but fortunality i can sleep with Diazepan.
If your can stabilize on meds and function, you can stabilize off meds.
Very helpful. Thanks
This guy is lucky he hasn't been poisoned. For me poisoning happened over time and I am 100% sure my many symptoms are worse every time I take each of my meds.
Yes, I believe this can happen as well. Some people might not stabilize, even with a long hold. I did not. So rather than adding other drugs and/or continuing to hold, I am tapering. Healing is taking place during the taper, otherwise there wouldn’t be symptoms.
@@bubbles-triumphscan I ask how long your hold was? Been holding for a while and only 50 percent better days.
@@suecobb-werner hi Sue, my hold was 8 months. I held at 10mg for 8 months and unfortunately things got much worse at the end of the 8 months. I was puzzled.
@ it was an 8 month hold
Sorry, the hold was an 8 month hold
How do you taper off from antipsychotics : Clozapine?
Please reply
For life😢
Thank you for this!!!!!!!!❤
What were the accumulations from the first time Chris was taken off Clonazepam? Important. He’s saying tolerance doesn’t exist? What if you never raised your dose or come off and the drug seemed to stop working?
Hi chris, I said the wrong time it is at 21:18 you say I dont see people rapid taper and get better. I am a cold turkey with reactions to other single doses of drugs and now in a set back because of a non psych med and severly protracted so I am very very terrfied. I have extreme akathisia. If you could say what you meant by that? Thanks.
Perhaps you can talk to your doctor and give something to stabilize. I quit Cold turkey the Ativan while being in withdrawal from lexapro. Ive become so horrifically ill that I heeded to reinstate the Ativan. Its not fully working but my new Benzo wise doctor says i will stabilise in 2 to 3 months and then we can attempt a slow tapper.
@Pattycakes-hc4pmthis is so sad.
Thanks so much. However what if your 30 months off, rapidly taken off two weeks .25 klonopin, and 4 month taper .25 zoloft before the Benzo. My doctor didn’t help. I was told NOT to reinstate this late out. Just wondering is it to late to try and stabilize now? Thanks. Paula
minty: sorry do not have the answer but wanted to say that am saying a prayer that the doctor or someone that knows will provide an answer. personally would think that not reinstating is probably the answer but it bothers that you are having these difficulties after being off these poisons for 30 months. sincerely hope that someone provides guidance...just wanted to offer moral support.
@@nwicconsultants6640. Thanks for your support. I appreciate it. Been a long time. Hope you’re well p
I just got back on a small amount again after 4 year cause i dididnt know what else to do my body was literally eating its self not sleeping for days on in i felt like i was going to die so thats what i did for a month now idk if it was the right choice but im getting sleep and keep my job cause i was to the point where i would just keep caliing off cause i couldnt function
I know this is a year later idk what you ended up doing but i would love to hear how your doing
Smoking my weed terpenes I need to survive and function while feeling that sensation when your guest said their suffering and it’s so hard for them .. I’m paraphrasing… I felt that because I wan a help other people like me that are suffering . and I’m on welfare in Canada . 40 yr old Chinese women ,and I think about lower income people how they are doing . It’s worse than heroin withdrawals and methadone taper slowly by a professional genuine caring addiction doctor helped me taper but beginning was hell but helped in the long run . Never thought I be in a similar situation but this time it was my ex doctor (I usually swear at her name).., fault! This time it’s the venlafaxine. Black brain ? Has it been identified what it is yet because I would like to say mine that I think are symptoms . My med stopped working out of nowhere and losing weight bones out like eww. Can’t drink or eat . No function unless I have weed with certain terpenes in them to amazement to me helps me eat and function. But money is low and I don’t know how long I’ll last because as y’all know it’s death and torture suffering plus I have undiagnosed chronic pains .
What meds are you on or are you off them?
on them . i am removing two bead for now and still going dispensary@@anatino
I had akithisia, I had no idea what was happening to me, I went to the emergency room, and kept telling them "I don't feel comftable in my own body" it's the only way I could explain what I felt. They had no idea what was wrong with me, they diagnosed me with blood poisoning. It was about 3 months after I found out what it was. I only found out because I'm trying to beat pregabalin dependency, so I've been trying to find out as much information as I can about withdrawals, I found out benzodiazepans cause akithisia, I remembered I was taking xanax at the time, so put 1 and 1 together
I'm currently stuck on 450 mg of seroquel. I feel like if I'd tapered I'd end up psychotic again cause even just missing a dose a month ago brought back some symptoms I was experiencing pre medication. I guess my best choice for now is to just hold my current dose and hope the akathisia subsides on it's own. Or should I try an akathisia med like propranolol?
How do you do a water taper?
Yeah there is a lot of pressure in the benzo groups to get off the meds and suffer. I guess part of the issue is that many are worried they’ll be cold turkeyed or rapid tapered so for me I feel a sense of urgency to get off this stuff…but I’m not tolerating even a micro micro taper very well….:-(
The doctors have a final call if they’ll keep prescribing it long enough so you can take your time getting off the stuff. :(
W/all due respect, Mr. Paige; I completely disagree w/ur stance RE: the ability 2 heal while on psych meds. After 30+ different psych meds ovr a 44-yr period b4 becoming psych med-free since 1/1//2017 (my DOB: 7/20/1967); the cumulative negative side effects overrode the "benefits". Granted; it varies from each individual but the manner in how psych meds work, I'm actually better off drinking beer.
This man went through extreme akathisia hell for years, how was he to get off the others he was on in that state. He’s going slow with the others to remain sane and functional. It sounds reasonable to me.
@@Waves353 Dude; if u actually READ my comment (the 1 that ur reply pertains 2), it took me 44 YRS on 30+; different psych meds 2 experience the EXACT SAME FBS (e.g.:;Akathisia, Tardive Dyskinesia, Lethargy, etc.) as Mr. Paige did. Despite that, Mr. Paige apparently still in FAVOR of psych meds (@ least that's how I interpreted it). I wasn't belittling nor denying Mr. Paige's experience @ all. All that I said was based on how psych meds work (again; it's based on my personal experiences w/them), most people r better off drinking beer. I'm NOT condoning drinking @'all despite partaking in it; all I'm saying's that the harmful effects of alcohol r lesser than the harmful effects of psych meds. THAT'S the point that I was attempting 2 convey here.
@@billybandyk0720 I have spoken to Chris and he is not in favour of meds, he was loaded with them when ct from benzo
I agree re booze tbh.
Sorry if I misread your message, head a mess here, was poly drugged for a relatively fairly minor issue rendering me batshit cray.
@@billybandyk0720 how long did it take fir you to feel better off meds? and how long did you have Akathisia for?
@@martinez4560 Buddy,; still experiencing AKATHISIA 2 this day. Nvrthlss; I definitely still stand by my comment.
You make valid points but is this guy a doctor that can prescribe medications? Not everyone has the ability to have a prescriber that will indefinitely prescribe these meds and absolutely no control over their " taper ". So if the scope of the training was counseling how can it legally cross over into medication ?
I walked through the fires of hell to be off the meds. And I’m almost healed. The point is to get off the meds because overall they are not good for long term health. And at some point, they will turn on you again and you’ll be back to the beginning. With all due respect, this sounds like a way to legitimize not coming off the meds which is not ideal overall.
I became very sick the first week on klonopin. And I know lots like me.
You're almost healed...and lucky you for that. But what about the people who are being encouraged to "just get off" and who go on to be protracted for a decade or more, with a total loss of everything (function, job, family, friends)? Then what?
@@nicolelambic I’m severely protracted so a decade isn’t far out of reach for me.
@@McStorch0 you have made my point. Your way is a ten year debacle of hell. Perhaps we should not be giving this advice to people.
I totally agree with you.
@@nicolelambic some of us don’t get a choice between hell and something else. That choice is already made for us. I don’t care how long it takes me to heal. I surely wasn’t staying on the poison waiting indefinitely for something to come right. I was sick from day one. Some of us don’t stabilize. EVER. You’ve been around the block in this community more than anyone. You should know that.
Approx 20:16 he says I dont see people with rapid taper get better. Very scary and dangerous thing to say 😢 other coaches say differently. So cold turkey and rapid taper no chance? I am very sick after many years and very very very terrified! @IARP22
I clearly state people can rapid taper and get better at that exact point in the interview. It is just very risky and I sadly see it go very bad for others.
General consensus of people that have cold turkied or rapid tapered is they wish they had never done it. This comes from the thousands upon thousands of people on the various benzo forums.
@@Sears111 yes. I wish it hadn't happened to me either.
@@IARP22 thank you, you did say that sentence I mentioned too, so it terrfied me. I am very very sick with akathisia and everything terrifies me. I am so sick and don't know what to do. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Were you cut off by a doctor?
Chris you may still have side effects of current drugs, the stabilisation often is a cruel excuse for psychiatric paradigm to drug people to the point they as stable as a vegatable, unable to express their suffering due to the tranquilising and debilitating side effects. I know you are coming from a differen place but I think it is very important to bare it in mind. Sure you need to be careful, and that is different for everyone. But sure these drugs are toxic and do more harm if any good...often causing destabilisation e.g. akathesia, tardive dyskinesia, heart problems, diabetes, brain shrinkage, dystonia, problems with kidneys and what not.
Thanks for this it was really helpful. What about reinstating to a higher dose Chris, do you feel that can sometimes help?
Updosing? The groups say NOOOOOOO! It’s too confusing.
There are serious problems with this guy's narrative. He makes broad platitudes that are bizarre. The talking about the somebody saying that people should get off meds rapidly is nonsense. The narrative around a) the tendency to begin people on medication for sub-acute conditions 2) the cultural belief that it is necessary to continue medication once a person is stabilized and 3) the difficulties in finding a doctor who will help a client taper responsibly needs to change. If these three things are addressed it would make videos like this obsolete. Also, some people do better off meds, and even a protracted rapid withdrawal is better than the medication merry-go-round. He is stating that his way is right and other opinions are wrong when the truth is, once you have been on psych meds for years you are damaged and there are no good options. The fact that people who have been on psych meds for years ALL think in terms of stability WHETHER THEY ARE ON MEDS OF HAVE COME OFF is the hallmark of broken system. Also of note is the fact that people who try to come off psych medications have better outcomes, regardless of whether or not they succeed. That is the truth. Let us not criticize each other but lift each other up.
So if he's 90% healed ,he has healed from akathesia wile on mirtazapine ect then
I agree but need provider.
Thanks from Bharat!
I feel like prescriber is causing harm.
If more than one way. WHO prescribes.
Functioning Benzoid you (chris) seem like... would you put your children on these? No! And just say it! DON'T TAKE THEIR DRUGS!!!
Thomas Kevin Anderson Donna Davis Anthony
Can you heal while taking one or many poisons? No.
Specially when taking a drug for conditions that have no known biological marker like depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc.
There is nothing to drug the poor person for.
Remember the greek word pharmakon.
Greek word for drug was pharmakon, which means:
*1) poison*
2) ally
3) scapegoat
Best wishes.
Blank statements like this are simplistic. There are millions of people on these meds who are fine, so arsenic they are not. They do have serious risks, but each person is different, and getting off isn't possible or the best option for everyone.
@@mcb00 Blank statements?
Medics and psychiatrists are much much more ignorant than damaged by drugs communities.
They ignore drugs have to be tapered, they ignore these drugs cause many persistent damages, they ignore these drugs cause very long protracted withdrawals if not persistent neurological damage, they ignore these drugs are addictive / cause dependence.
Good luck finding a wise doctor today.
They are pharma employees selling drugs wholesale like they are candy.
Also psychiatry has no scientific foundations, medics and psychiatrists founded antipsychiatry when realizing this, not me.
Best wishes.
@@mcb00 Blank statements? Do you mean blanket statements?
But he is off the benzo
Fixing to come off of my Ativan after 20 years Dr nonchalantly told me oh we're going to try to get you off of some of your meds what she meant to say without saying it was we're going to take you off of your anxiety pills now that you're 69 knowing that that will be hard at that age remind me to do this and I guess she must think it's awfully funny I don't see any humor in it or she's extremely uneducated about it the way she said it was oh we're going to take you off of all your meds and let you sink or swim how and Humane these doctors are this doctor here who is a doctor from Houston which is where I live absolutely knows what he's talking about I think Baylor is one of the best hospitals in Texas too bad my primary doctor doesn't have a clue about anything except that she's going to cause a lot of damage
I feel horrible it's 33 month of k. I came off effexor too last month. I hope I get better I'm so,depressed