Episode 21 Doctor Gary Sidley talks about his years of experience within NHS mental health services and alternatives to bio-medical psychiatry as ways of responding to human suffering
Category: Podcast
This week we interview Dr. Gary Sidley. Dr. Sidley worked within NHS mental health services for 33 years in a variety of nursing, psychological and managerial roles. In the 1980s he was employed as a psychiatric nurse at a large asylum in Manchester, commencing his clinical psychology training in 1987. Subsequently, he worked as a clinical psychologist in community mental health services, inpatient units and GP practices, as well as with Senior Management positions. Gary
Episode 22 Meghann describes her experiences of being prescribed antidepressant drugs for OCD at the age of 9 and how she approached stopping them some 17 years later
Category: Podcast
This week we talk to Meghann from the USA. Meghann describes starting antidepressant drugs for OCD at the age of 9, how she came to consider her withdrawal after 17 years and how she feels now, 2 years after finishing with the drugs. In this episode we discuss: How Meghann was first prescribed Paxil for OCD at the age of 9, partly because therapy was ineffective. How she took those drugs until the age of
Episode 23 David talks about his sanguine view of antidepressant drugs and his own experiences of the mental healthcare system
Category: Podcast
This week we interview David who has taken antidepressant drugs on and off over the last few years. David talks about his experiences of the mental healthcare system, how he has been supported by his medications and how and why he went about stopping his drugs. In this episode we discuss: How David feels that it is important to be open-minded about antidepressant medications. How David initially resisted help for depression partly because of the
Episode 24 Doctor Peter Groot from Maastricht University talks about his own experiences of antidepressant drugs and his novel, practical solution for those who want to withdraw safely: Tapering Strips
Category: Podcast
This week, I interview Doctor Peter Groot from the User Research Center of the Maastricht University. As some of you may know, I have been running a petition for some time to raise awareness of something called ‘tapering kits’. Very simply, tapering kits are tablets in decreasing dosages that would help users who wanted to withdraw from their psychiatric drugs to do so safely and in a controlled way. Recently, I was contacted by Dr.
Episode 25 Sinead describes her 16 years of treatment with antidepressants, her attempts to withdraw and how she feels about starting medications for her emotional distress
Category: Podcast
This week we interview Sinead who has taken antidepressant drugs for the last 16 years. Sinead has attempted to withdraw on several occasions and describes the challenges that she faced. In this episode we discuss: How Sinead at the age of 23 visited her doctor because she felt depressed. How she was searching for answers and support from her GP but was put onto Paroxetine. How ironically just being listened to made Sinead feel better
Episode 26 Judy Meyer talks about her experiences of the psychiatric system and how she became a holistic mental health practitioner and mental health advocate
Category: Podcast
This week we interview Judy Meyer. Judy is a holistic mental health practitioner, mental health advocate and founder of the Alternative Health Revolution. We talk about Judy’s experience of the psychiatric system, her excellent and informative website alternativementalhealthrevolution.com and her advice for those struggling with antidepressant withdrawal. In this episode we discuss: How Judy was prescribed Prozac at 19 years old. That there were no discussions with her Psychiatrist about adverse
Episode 27 Elaine talks about her experiences with antidepressant and stimulant drugs, her withdrawal and how she felt judged rather than helped by psychiatry
Category: Podcast
This week we interview Elaine who has taken antidepressant and stimulant drugs for anxiety issues such as OCD. She describes her experiences with the drugs, how she approached her withdrawal and describes feeling humiliated and judged by her psychiatrists rather than helped. In this episode we discuss: How Elaine came to be taking Prozac for anxiety issues. How she became troubled by anxious thoughts and fears while in college That she stopped Prozac cold turkey
Episode 28 Chaya Grossberg talks about her experiences of the psychiatric system and her naturopathic approach to mental health and wellbeing
Category: Podcast
This week, we talk to Chaya Grossberg. Chaya shares her own experiences of the psychiatric system and psychiatric drugs and also tells us how she now helps and supports those struggling to withdraw from their psychiatric medications. Chaya promotes a naturopathic approach to supporting people with their health and wellbeing. Her website is https://chayagrossberg.com In this episode we discuss: How Chaya was in therapy from a relatively young age to help
Episode 29 Stevie talks about her experiences taking the SSRI antidepressant Seroxat and her severe and protracted withdrawal from the drug
Category: Podcast
This week we interview Stevie who describes her experiences taking antidepressant drugs and her severe and protracted reaction to trying to withdraw. She also tells us about the help and support she received and what approaches she took to support herself during the most difficult times. In this episode we discuss: How Stevie started to find that work stresses and strains were affecting her and leading to anxiety and intermittent insomnia, particularly when travelling with
Episode 30 Holly Higgins talks about her own experiences with psychiatric drugs and withdrawal and how she became a nutritional therapy practitioner and healed her depression and anxiety with real food
Category: Podcast
This week, we talk to Holly Higgins. Holly shares her own experiences of the psychiatric system and psychiatric drugs, how she approached withdrawal from the drugs and talks about how she became a nutritional therapy practitioner. Holly now supports others in managing their mental health using nutrition and her excellent website Pills to Paleo provides a wide range of helpful resources for those that want to improve their mental health without resorting to psychiatric drugs.