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Ready to break free from psychiatric medications? The journey isn't simple, but it is possible—and we're here to guide you through the complex reality of medication tapering in this revealing second installment of our deprescribing series.

Many people believe they're destined to take antidepressants forever, a misconception often reinforced by healthcare providers with limited knowledge about deprescribing. The truth? Tapering off psychiatric medications requires a thoughtful, comprehensive approach that extends far beyond simply reducing your dosage.

Think of medication tapering as an ultra marathon rather than a sprint. We recommend allowing 1-3 months of tapering for every year you've been on medication—a timeline that might feel daunting but reflects the body's need for gradual adjustment. Before even beginning to reduce your medication, we emphasize the critical importance of assembling your "taper team"—supportive healthcare providers, knowledgeable pharmacists, and deprescribing specialists who understand the nuances of this process.

Unfortunately, many prescribers resist supporting patients who wish to discontinue medications. If you encounter resistance, remember that healthcare is meant to be collaborative. Just as you wouldn't continue seeing a therapist who isn't supportive, you shouldn't feel obligated to stay with a prescriber who dismisses your tapering goals.

A cornerstone of successful tapering is collecting personalized data through functional lab work. Understanding your unique neurotransmitter levels, vitamin deficiencies, and cortisol patterns provides invaluable insights for creating a targeted support plan. We dive into the foundation supplements that can significantly ease withdrawal symptoms: high-quality omega-3s, methylated B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and probiotics—explaining why each plays a crucial role in supporting brain health during medication discontinuation.

Whether you're just beginning to consider tapering or already on your journey, this episode offers transparent, evidence-based guidance from practitioners who have both professional and personal experience with medication discontinuation. Ready to reclaim your brain chemistry? Let's transform what feels impossible into a manageable, step-by-step process toward medication freedom.

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⚠️ Ready to stop your psych meds? Don’t make a move until you’ve heard this.

In this powerful episode of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, Deprescribing Consultants Dr. Teralyn and Jenn reveal the science-backed truth behind what your brain really needs before tapering off psychiatric medications.

💥 Spoiler: It’s not just about cutting pills.
It’s about rebuilding what meds may have depleted — your neurotransmitters, your nutrient stores, your resilience.

You’ll learn:

Why amino acids and protein are essential for brain health

The 4 pillars of tapering prep: Nutrition, Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness

How psychiatric meds deplete nutrients, harm your gut, and impact gray matter

Why HIIT may be hurting more than helping

What to do during the crucial “90-day warm-up” phase

🎧 Whether you’re considering tapering, already in the process, or supporting someone who is — this episode is for you.
⚠️ BUCKLE UP FOR SOME BASIC BULLSH*T YOU’VE BEEN SOLD:
 You’ve been told nutrition doesn’t matter during a med taper?
 WRONG.
Here’s the real deal 👇
 🧠 Your brain’s neurotransmitters?
 They’re made from amino acids.
 Amino acids come from protein.
 No protein = Broken Neurotransmitter Pathways = Brain chaos during your taper.
 Read. That. Again.
💥 It’s that simple — and that serious.
Join Deprescribing Consultants Terri and Jenn, hosts of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, as they rip apart myths and break down real brain science in everyday language — so you can finally understand what your body needs to come off meds safely.

Have you been told you'll need antidepressants forever? That narrative might be one of the biggest gaslights in modern mental healthcare. As we reveal in this eye-opening first episode of our two-part series, successfully tapering off psychiatric medications requires something most doctors never mention: preparation.

The journey to medication freedom begins long before you cut your first pill. We call it the "90-day warmup" – a comprehensive approach to strengthening your brain health through four essential pillars: nutrition, sleep, movement, and meditation. This isn't about perfection but progress; getting what we playfully call "a C on the assignment" is enough to make a substantial difference in your tapering experience.

Psychiatric medications create profound changes in

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The truth about psychiatric medications is far more troubling than most people realize. In this eye-opening conversation with medical journalist Bob Whitaker, founder of Mad in America and author of groundbreaking books challenging psychiatric orthodoxy, we uncover the deceptive science behind the "chemical imbalance" theory and how it has harmed countless patients.

Whitaker shares his personal journey from conventional medical reporter to psychiatric whistleblower after discovering research that contradicted everything he'd been told about mental health treatments. Most shocking is his revelation that the chemical imbalance theory—the foundation of modern psychopharmacology—was debunked in psychiatry's own literature decades ago. "They knew it wasn't true starting in the 80s," Whitaker explains, "but then they kept saying it because it was a soundbite that made their drugs look good."

We dive deep into the corrupt research practices behind psychiatric drug trials, where exclusion criteria keep 85% of real-world patients out of studies, and "placebo" groups actually consist of people experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Even more disturbing is evidence showing psychiatric medications often create the very chemical imbalances they claim to correct, potentially explaining why long-term outcomes have worsened over decades of increasing medication use.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when we discuss how patients questioning their medications face dismissal and gaslighting from the medical establishment. As therapists who help people safely deprescribe, we share our perspectives on supporting clients through this journey and the pushback we've received for challenging dominant narratives.

Whether you're a mental health professional, someone taking psychiatric medications, or simply curious about the science behind mental health treatments, this episode will transform your understanding of psychiatry and medication. Join us in this crucial conversation about reclaiming patient agency and demanding better from our mental health systems.

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Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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Talking about trauma doesn't always lead to healing – in fact, it can sometimes make things worse. This groundbreaking episode features EMDR expert Jeremy Fox, who reveals why traditional talk therapy approaches sometimes fall short when treating trauma and introduces a powerful alternative.

Jeremy explains how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) works through a fundamentally different mechanism than conventional therapy. Rather than having clients deeply immerse themselves in traumatic narratives, EMDR creates what Jeremy calls a "dual attention process" – keeping one foot in the traumatic past and one in the present. Through guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, EMDR "taxes working memory," making it difficult for the brain to maintain the same intense emotional connection to traumatic memories.

We explore the fascinating science behind this approach, including Jeremy's published research on the Zeigarnik Effect – the psychological principle that explains why interrupted or incomplete experiences (like traumatic memories) remain more vivid in our minds than completed ones. Jeremy illuminates how EMDR leverages this effect to help the brain finally process what's been "stuck."

Perhaps most surprising is Jeremy's revelation that clients don't necessarily need to verbally share all the details of their trauma for EMDR to be effective. This makes the therapy particularly valuable for those who find it impossible to talk about their experiences or who have tried talk therapy without success.

The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about EMDR, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and how medication might impact trauma processing. Whether you're a therapy professional or someone seeking healing from past wounds, this episode offers valuable insights into how our brains process trauma and the innovative approaches that can lead to transformation.

Ready to explore new pathways to healing? Listen now and discover why sometimes the most effective therapy isn't about talking more – it's about processing differently.

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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"Is your pancreas suddenly malfunctioning, or could it be your antidepressant?" That's the question at the heart of this explosive episode where we reveal the shocking disconnect between existing research and what medical providers tell patients about SSRI side effects.

When co-host Jen called her doctor about concerning blood glucose results during her Lexapro taper, she was immediately shut down with "No, that can't be related to your medication." But as we uncover, multiple studies dating back over a decade have established clear connections between SSRIs and metabolic disturbances. We share a jaw-dropping recording of this medical gaslighting in action, breaking down all the ways Jen's legitimate concerns were dismissed without consideration.

Looking deeper, we explore compelling research including a 2013 study showing significant increases in weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in women taking various SSRIs for just 16 weeks. Even more convincingly, a massive 2020 Japanese study of 90,000 participants concluded that "antidepressants increased the risk of type 2 diabetes," with risk increasing alongside duration and dosage of medication use. Perhaps most importantly, both studies found these metabolic markers returned to baseline after discontinuation - exactly what many patients report but are told is impossible.

This episode serves as both validation for those who've felt dismissed by healthcare providers and as ammunition for your next medical appointment. We discuss strategies for advocating for yourself, monitoring your own health metrics, and navigating a system that often refuses to acknowledge medication side effects. If you've ever wondered whether your changing health status might be connected to your psychiatric medication, this conversation will equip you with knowledge to push back against medical gaslighting and take control of your health journey.

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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What happens when a medical professional becomes the victim of the very medications they once prescribed? Nicole Lamberson, physician assistant and medical director for the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, takes us through her harrowing journey from stressed PA student to polypharmacy casualty to powerful advocate for medication safety.

Nicole's story begins with work-related anxiety during PA school that led to a prescription for Xanax. What followed was a five-year nightmare of escalating medications – six psychiatric drugs simultaneously, including multiple benzodiazepines, stimulants, and antipsychotics. As her health deteriorated, Nicole found herself unable to function, agoraphobic, and eventually suicidal. When she attempted to discontinue these medications, she encountered a medical system utterly unprepared to help patients safely taper off psychiatric drugs.

The podcast explores the profound gaps in medical education around deprescribing, with Nicole revealing that her professional training included "absolutely zero" instruction on safely discontinuing medications. This knowledge vacuum creates dangerous situations where withdrawal symptoms are misdiagnosed as worsening mental illness or drug-seeking behavior. Even when patients report severe adverse effects, they're often dismissed as "outliers" or told their experiences are "rare."

Through her recovery journey, Nicole became a vital voice in medication safety. She now contributes to deprescribing guidelines, works with the Withdrawal Project, distributes the documentary "Medicating Normal," and coaches individuals through psychiatric medication discontinuation. Her work balances scientific rigor with deep compassion born from lived experience.

This eye-opening conversation challenges listeners to question the narratives around psychiatric medications, advocate for themselves in medical settings, and recognize that healing is possible even after severe medication harm. Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone taking psychiatric medications, or supporting a loved one through withdrawal, Nicole's wisdom offers crucial insights for navigating this complex terrain.

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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Angie Peacock's life changed forever when she sought psychiatric help after serving in Iraq. What followed was a 13-year nightmare on more than 40 psychiatric medications simultaneously – a pharmaceutical regimen that robbed her of her identity, relationships, and basic functioning.

"I completely got robbed of my twenties and thirties," Angie reveals, describing how she lost the ability to shower, read, or even watch TV while heavily medicated. Her medical records ultimately labeled her as having "chronic and persistent mental illness not likely to improve." The psychiatric establishment had written her off.

The turning point came when Angie was invited to share her story in the groundbreaking documentary "Medicating Normal." During a catastrophic cold-turkey withdrawal from benzodiazepines, she endured three years of akathisia, intrusive thoughts, and physical agony. Yet something remarkable happened – her brain began to heal itself. Without supplements, alternative therapies, or more medications, Angie's psychiatric symptoms resolved completely.

Today, Angie lives on the road in her camper van, traveling the country as a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and advocate for informed consent. Her story challenges everything we're told about "chemical imbalances" and lifelong medication. As she powerfully states: "These drugs have murdered my brain. That's what happened."

Through heart-wrenching honesty and moments of unexpected humor, Angie illustrates how the mental health system traps patients through gaslighting, creating symptoms that are then blamed on underlying illness rather than medication effects. Her journey demonstrates the brain's extraordinary healing capacity when freed from pharmaceutical interference.

Whether you're questioning your own psychiatric treatment, supporting a loved one through withdrawal, or simply concerned about our medication-first approach to mental health, this episode will transform your understanding of what's possible. Listen now and discover why thousands worldwide are rethinking everything they've been told about psychiatric medication.

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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The decision to send your child to therapy seems like responsible parenting, but what if that choice follows them long after childhood ends? As licensed therapists ourselves, we're pulling back the curtain on a troubling reality that few professionals discuss openly.

Mental health diagnoses given to children as young as six or seven years old don't simply disappear when therapy ends. These labels become permanent parts of medical records that can affect military applications, government employment, insurance coverage, and more. We share real examples from our practices of young adults facing obstacles because of childhood diagnoses they've long since outgrown.

A revealing study found that over two-thirds of people who received therapy as children reported negative effects from the experience, with many developing increased stress and a sense that their problems would never improve. Perhaps most concerning is how children are routinely placed on psychiatric medications with profound physiological effects that alter their developing nervous systems.

As parents, the pressure to medicate children into compliance can be overwhelming. Schools, doctors, and even family members may insist it's the only solution for behavioral issues or learning differences. We challenge this narrative, offering practical alternatives like working with coaches, paying privately to avoid diagnoses, and exploring holistic approaches before turning to psychiatric interventions.

This isn't about shaming parents who've sought help for their children, but rather providing crucial information that's deliberately withheld from the therapy conversation. Before signing your child up for their first session, consider the potentially lifelong implications of that decision.

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Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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Three therapists pull back the curtain on an uncomfortable truth: the mental health industry often keeps us trapped in cycles of symptom management rather than helping us truly thrive.

"The Capacity Expert" Raquel Hopkins joins Dr. Tara Lynn and Therapist Jen to challenge mainstream mental health narratives that have created an emotionally fragile culture. With her unique background transitioning from corporate HR to therapy, Raquel brings a refreshingly critical perspective that questions the fundamentals of how we approach mental wellness.

Together, they explore how we've confused normal human emotions with mental illness, why gaslighting exists in all human relationships, and the danger of creating perpetual therapy clients instead of resilient individuals. "Your emotions are just internal data," Raquel explains, "not facts and not justification for how people should respond to you."

The conversation dives into controversial territory, questioning whether childhood exploration should be the default starting point in therapy and challenging the notion that our nervous system is always right about perceived threats. They discuss how the mental health industry has inadvertently contributed to a culture that rewards emotional fragility rather than building capacity to navigate life's inevitable challenges.

This episode will make you question everything you've been told about mental health and therapy. Whether you're currently in therapy, considering it, or work in the field yourself, these perspectives offer a much-needed counterbalance to prevailing narratives that have dominated the mental health conversation.

Ready to develop true resilience rather than perpetual coping mechanisms? Listen now and discover how to build the capacity to navigate life's complexities without becoming dependent on therapy or pathologizing normal human experiences.

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Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

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Kevin Gundersen's story begins at age 12 when a doctor prescribed him Celexa for school anxiety. What followed was a two-decade nightmare of medication side effects, new symptoms, and medical gaslighting that robbed him of his youth and health.

With raw honesty, Kevin recounts the vicious cycle familiar to many psychiatric patients: medication side effects misdiagnosed as worsening mental illness, leading to higher doses or new medications, creating even worse symptoms. His original anxiety transformed into debilitating panic attacks, vertigo, severe blood pressure spikes reaching 260/150, and the torturous movement disorder akathisia after starting psychiatric medications.

Kevin's experience reveals how medical gaslighting extends beyond patients to families. "My parents were also gaslit," he explains, absolving them of blame for decisions made without true informed consent. This crucial insight highlights how psychiatric medication harms ripple through entire families, creating multiple victims from a single prescription.

The podcast takes listeners through Kevin's medical journey, complicated by Graves' disease and Lyme disease, and his repeated attempts to taper off medications. Most powerfully, he describes his December 2023 breaking point: "I am going to do everything in my power to get off these drugs. I don't care if I suffer every day for the rest of my life. I'm not giving any more money to these companies that have fucked me up."

Now slowly tapering and rebuilding his life, Kevin offers a profound insight that challenges psychiatric orthodoxy: "I feel the best I've felt in a long time, and I'm at the lowest dose I've been on since I was 16." His story is both a warning about the dangers of psychiatric medications and a beacon of hope for those seeking their own path to healing.

Follow Kevin's continuing journey on TikTok and YouTube @fightingback203 and share your own experiences with psychiatric medication through our email: [email protected].

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
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