Protracted Withdrawal » What I’ve Learned Helping People Withdraw from Psychiatric Drugs

This month marks two years since I began supporting people in their recovery from psychiatric medications. During this time, I’ve learned a lot—and made a fair number of mistakes—which turned out to be incredibly valuable experiences. In this article, I want to share some of the insights I’ve gained. Helping others through the difficult process of psychiatric drug withdrawal and healing isn’t just about theoretical knowledge—it’s also a profound lesson in humility, empathy, and patience.

“My case is different”

That’s probably the most common phrase I hear during sessions. On the one hand, it’s very true. Each person going through psychiatric drug withdrawal follows their own unique path. There’s no “perfect” plan that works for everyone. People differ in terms of experience, symptoms, reactions to dose reductions, and the time needed for adaptation.

But on the other hand, early in the healing proces, many people are convinced that their case is different in one particular way: they believe it is so severe that there’s no chance of recovery. This belief creates barriers to recovery.

The key to success is flexibility—adjusting support to the individual’s needs, listening to their concerns, and noticing subtle shifts in their well-being.

For both the person withdrawing from medication and the person offering support, patience is absolutely essential. The withdrawal and healing process can take many months—or even years. Progress is often slow and nonlinear, following a "waves and windows" pattern. People can feel discouraged when results don’t come quickly.

There are no quick fixes here. Patience, steady monitoring, and small steps toward improvement are what help carry people through this difficult journey.

Many people struggling with protracted withdrawal after discontinuing antidepressants experience intense, prolonged symptoms that can last for months or even years. In this mental state, it's easy to develop the belief that the symptoms are irreversible. Those suffering from side effects such as PSSD (Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction), chronic anxiety, derealization, or concentration problems often begin to believe that their condition will never improve.

This belief is often reinforced by a lack of clear support from the medical system, as well as interactions with others in similar situations, who also haven't noticed any improvement. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking can lead to worsening mental health, giving up on further treatment, and social isolation.

Although symptoms may persist for a long time, it does not mean they are permanent. The neurobiological adaptation of the body after discontinuing psychiatric medications can take many months, and improvement often comes gradually, sometimes unexpectedly.

In my conversations with the people I work with, I offten hear the following statements: "This is permanent," "I’ll never heal from this," "I’m a special case because ‘x’ makes me different from everyone else who has healed," "I’ll lose my mind, die from insomnia, end up in a psychiatric ward, go psychotic," and other dark scenarios we imagine.

I think of these expressions of hopelessness as frightening "mind garbage" that should be treated as one of the symptoms of withdrawal, just like the physical symptoms of muscle pain or burning sensations in the arms.

Withdrawal is not just physical

Many people assume the hardest part of protracted withdrawal will be the physical symptoms—headaches, dizziness, insomnia, or digestive issues. But from my experience, the emotional and psychological challenges are often just as hard—if not harder.

Changes related to autonomic dysregulation, PSSD, or the tapering process itself can impact how we manage stress, emotions, and anxiety. Many people experience a resurgence of depressive or anxious symptoms that were previously numbed by medications and are now intensified by withdrawal—or brand new depression or anxiety that they never experienced before taking the drugs.

Exercise (even just walking) is a helpful way to cope wiith these feelings, but trying to compensate for this through exercise can be nearly impossible early in the process due to severely reduced motivation and a kind of “grief” many experience—a sense that their condition is permanent. That’s why emotional and psychological support is just as crucial as physical support during this time.

I often encountered people who felt ashamed or guilty because they believed they weren’t coping “well enough.” Over time, I came to understand that the most important thing I can offer is acceptance—without judgment. Only then can someone feel safe enough to open up to support.

Many of the people I’ve worked with have found that a sense of community is incredibly important. Help doesn’t have to come only from professionals. Peer support from others who’ve gone through similar experiences can be invaluable. Knowing you’re not alone in this difficult process is incredibly powerful. Sharing fears, successes, and setbacks helps build strength and reminds people that there’s nothing shameful about what they’re going through.

That said, caution is needed with peer support groups that are not moderated, as the level of skepticism and desperation found in some of these spaces can sometimes have the opposite effect of what’s intended. It’s important to remember that these groups consist of people from different backgrounds, from all over the world, with varied experiences — many of whom are themselves going through withdrawal or are in the process of tapering off. This can be a double-edged sword.

Exposure to content that triggers stress or heightens anxiety can negatively affect our well-being and scare us. These groups can truly be life-saving and are essential for understanding the complexities of the medication withdrawal process. However, some of them may unfortunately induce fear, which further complicates our healing journey.

I remember how I personaly fell into a spiral of pessimism and the belief that my condition was permanent, something reinforced by conversations with other people who were suffering. In hindsight, I realize I was one of the most pessimistic people in the medication withdrawal community — someone I definitely wouldn't want to be in contact with today.

It’s also worth mentioning toxic positivity/negativity. Neither of these is helpful during the process of tapering off psychotropic medications. Just as we carefully choose what we eat and who we spend time with when we have the chance, we must also protect our minds from losing focus and hope.

Importance of education and information

It’s essential for people going through withdrawal to have access to accurate, clear information. I often meet individuals who had no idea what to expect, or what could happen to their body and mind during this process.

Understanding that symptoms are a normal part of withdrawal, and learning about tools and coping strategies, gives people a greater sense of control and reduces fear. Education about withdrawal mechanisms can empower individuals and help them feel less alone.

Sometimes, people who choose to taper still hold firmly to the biomedical model of psychiatry and the (scientifically unproven) “chemical imbalance” theory. I often refer to the book Anatomy of an Epidemic to offer an alternative perspective on the challenges they’re facing.

Despite growing awareness of issues related to overprescribing, many individuals still don’t receive adequate support for tapering. They often face misunderstanding from doctors or therapists who treat withdrawal as something short-term or insignificant. Changing this mindset within the healthcare system is still a major challenge that requires widespread education and a shift in approach.

Importance of healing plan

In my opinion, the fundamental element of effective support is the creation of an individualized healing plan. No process is identical, so adapting the tapering plan to the individual, their history, symptoms, and needs is crucial. This requires time, flexibility, and a willingness to work over the long term. Everyone starts from a different place and may need something completely different at the beginning compared to someone else.

The process of tapering off medications and/or healing from protracted withdrawal symptoms is not something that can be rushed. It requires patience and the readines to accept that it may take longer than initially anticipated. Often, it turns out that the most effective approach is giving oneself time to process experiences and adjusting actions as the condition changes.

For this reason, flexibility in the healing plan is extremely important — what works at the beginning of the process may change, and the body's reactions can vary depending on the stage of withdrawal.

Supporting people through the process of psychiatric drug withdrawal and healing has expanded my knowledge of biology, psychology, and psychotherapy—but more importantly, it’s taught me about the incredible human capacity for resilience and recovery.

This process doesn’t follow a single path—it’s built on trust, patience, and mutual respect. Everyone who embarks on this journey deserves to be supported with empathy, not judgment. Every story is unique, and every person deserves a chance at health and peace.

What I’ve Learned Helping People Withdraw from Psychiatric Drugs

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