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Today I want to be your withdrawal buddy. Take a walk with me while I share the specific things that helped me get through the longest, hardest days in acute psychiatric drug withdrawal—when time seemed to stretch forever and hope felt impossible. If you’re stuck in that place, I hope this video gives you some practical ideas and a reminder that you’re not alone.

🔗 Blog Version: https://lifeaftermeds.com/how-to-survive-long-days-in-withdrawal/

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Heads up: this channel offers education, support, and community, not medical or therapy advice or services. Nothing here replaces professional care from a doctor or licensed mental health provider. By engaging with this channel, you accept full responsibility for your own choices and outcomes. No results are guaranteed. Full disclaimer: https://lifeaftermeds.com/disclaimers

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, here are the support hotlines around the world: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#Crisis_line_organizations_by_country

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why I’m making this video
• 01:05 – Hot showers
• 02:10 – Epsom salt baths
• 02:45 – Loud music
• 03:40 – “Safe” TV
• 04:30 – Lying flat on the floor
• 05:10 – Reading to kids
• 06:30 – Structuring the day in chunks
• 07:30 – Going barefoot
• 08:20 – Walking fast
• 09:10 – Reading success stories
• 10:20 – Doing dishes and laundry mindfully
• 11:00 – Crying to release
• 11:45 – Phone calls with people who understand
• 13:00 – Hour-by-hour mindset
• 13:50 – Prayer
• 15:00 – You will take flight again

#withdrawalhealing #psychiatricdrugwithdrawal #survivingantidepressants #youarenotalone #healingjourney

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏

Meet with me: https://lifeaftermeds.com/meet

Which meds I was on, how long I took them, what my taper looked like (including some mistakes I made), and how I ended up experiencing kindling and severe withdrawal… Healing is happening for me, and it can happen for you too. 💛

Thanks for watching, and please subscribe or comment if you’d like me to cover something specific. I’m here to help and share what I’ve learned.

Was this video helpful? Leave a tip: https://lifeaftermeds.com/tips

Heads up: this channel offers education, support, and community, not medical or therapy advice or services. Nothing here replaces professional care from a doctor or licensed mental health provider. By engaging with this channel, you accept full responsibility for your own choices and outcomes. No results are guaranteed. Full disclaimer: https://lifeaftermeds.com/disclaimers

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, here are the support hotlines around the world: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#Crisis_line_organizations_by_country

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why I’m sharing my medication history
• 01:00 – When you think your case is the worst
• 02:45 – My early meds: Zoloft, postpartum depression
• 04:00 – Misdiagnosed withdrawal and the “lifelong” message
• 05:00 – 10 years on and off different meds
• 07:00 – Zoloft → Lexapro → Wellbutrin → Citalopram → Fluoxetine
• 08:30 – What I wish I knew about switching meds
• 09:30 – The 6-week taper and cold turkey mistake
• 10:30 – Five months later: the darkness starts
• 11:30 – Reinstatement and kindling
• 14:00 – The phone call that saved me
• 15:00 – Understanding what was really happening
• 16:00 – Where I am now
• 18:00 – You can heal—even after a bad medication journey

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏

💌 https://lifeaftermeds.com/ssri-withdrawal-symptoms/

I go symptom-by-symptom to talk through what healing has looked like for me, and what’s still in process, 20 months after going off antidepressants. If you’re wondering whether healing is possible, I hope my story offers some encouragement. It gets better.

❤️‍🩹 Joanna

To get my videos in your inbox, and/or be first to know when I'm opening my schedule to meet with people, sign up for my newsletter: https://lifeaftermeds.com/meet

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, here are the support hotlines around the world: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#Crisis_line_organizations_by_country

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Recap of my antidepressant history
• 02:45 – What I was told about “lifelong meds”
• 04:00 – Why tapering slowly matters (and what if you didn’t?)
• 05:15 – Full symptom rundown: past and present
• 12:00 – What’s still lingering today
• 13:30 – Living life while still healing
• 15:00 – Reminder: your body is doing the work

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏

💌 Lets talk: https://lifeaftermeds.com/meet

It’s been 20 months since I stopped my SSRI meds, and I want to update you on my progress, challenges, and the overall healing process. I want to encourage you if you're experiencing similar hardships and remind you that healing is possible.

I also share some details about my professional journey towards becoming a counselor and how my withdrawal experience influenced my path. If you want to get my videos in your inbox, or find out first when I'm opening my schedule to meet with people, sign up for my newsletter: https://lifeaftermeds.com/meet

Stay strong and keep going, friends!
❤️‍🩹 Joanna

Written version: https://lifeaftermeds.com/20-months-off-psychiatric-medication/

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Struggles
• 02:09 – Challenges with Professional Help
• 03:48 – Hope and Community
• 06:01 – Symptoms and Healing
• 08:38 – Encouragements
• 10:26 – Moving Forward

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, here are the support hotlines around the world: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#Crisis_line_organizations_by_country

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏

Written version & my newsletter: https://lifeaftermeds.com/withdrawal-feels-like-horror-movie-music/

How withdrawal feels like living in a horror movie. Of course, symptoms vary depending on the person, but for those going through cold turkey, fast tapers, or just having a hard time stabilizing, it’s awful. I know how it feels, and I want to tell you: it doesn’t stay that way. It does get better. Stay with me on this healing journey, and remember, the horror movie music will change.

❤️‍🩹 Joanna

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:04 – My experience with meds
• 02:08 – It’s like horror movie music
• 02:53 – Withdrawal symptoms
• 04:36 – Healing and hope
• 06:10 – Encouragement for you

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏

Healing progress and coping strategies... how's it going with you?

Written version and my email newsletter: https://lifeaftermeds.com/one-year-off-antidepressants

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Gratitude
• 00:27 – One year off
• 01:12 – Recent improvements
• 03:05 – Encouragement if you're in early stages
• 04:05 – Dealing with rumination
• 06:16 – Coping strategies
• 07:46 – Let's support each other

💌 Join my email list for a free 1-1 call with me: https://lifeaftermeds.com/meet

Depression in withdrawal feels brutal, but it’s a symptom, not your identity. Learn the “withdrawal thought” label, borrow hope, and hold onto what’s true while you heal.

Blog version: https://lifeaftermeds.com/depression-in-psych-med-withdrawal

Was this video helpful? Leave a tip: https://lifeaftermeds.com/tips

If you're having thoughts of self-harm, here are the support hotlines around the world: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines#Crisis_line_organizations_by_country

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why withdrawal depression hits hard
• 00:08 – These feelings are symptoms
• 00:52 – Labeling thoughts to create distance
• 01:41 – When hope feels out of reach
• 02:24 – Separate identity from symptoms
• 04:18 – Brains heal, stories change
• 04:44 – Let go of the “permanent” label
• 07:32 – Keep what’s true and carry on

Heads up: this channel offers education, support, and community, not medical or therapy advice or services. Nothing here replaces professional care from a doctor or licensed mental health provider. By engaging with this channel, you accept full responsibility for your own choices and outcomes. No results are guaranteed. Full disclaimer: https://lifeaftermeds.com/disclaimers

💬 Let's keep the comment section an encouraging and kind place. 🙏