Coming off psychiatric medication, or what we tend to call meds is something I don’t know much about. I have a friend who has just been through quite a process finding meds that work for her in her situation. She is settling down now with something that is working for her after weeks of roller-coaster experiences – I should say supervised experiences, she has good prescribing medical and psychiatric support. Some real ups downs that are evening out now.
She’s not yet thinking about life without meds but in time slowly and gradually she may wish to reduce her dependence on meds. There may come a time when meds are no useful for her, right now they are useful.
In this 40 minute educational video Will Hall talks about Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs:A Harm Reduction Approach, and recommends finding out what works for you.
Will supports people to make their own decisions about their meds acknowledging, and trying to balance, the risks and benefits involved. This is information that supports choice.
Will has also published a written guide here.
…and if you, or someone you know, needs emotional support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia. Crisis counselling is available around the world.