The Importance of Support During Psychiatric Medication Withdrawal
During my own journey of recovery from psychiatric medications, I had very little support. When I finally stopped taking the medications after several years, I was alone, without family or anyone who truly understood what I was going through. At the beginning of my recovery, my suffering was so overwhelming that I'm still amazed I made it through. Support, both online and in real life, is crucial. For many people experiencing withdrawal syndrome, it can mean the difference between life and death.
When I found online support groups, I was surprised by the number of people also struggling with medication withdrawal, who relied on these groups as their only source of information and support. It felt as though the entire medical system had abandoned us, unwilling to help clean up the mess it had created. In these groups, I met people who had exactly the same symptoms I did, who were dismissed by doctors, misunderstood by family, and clinging to life just as I was. I spent long hours each day reading, searching for others who could confirm that the symptoms I was experiencing were normal, that they would pass, and that I would recover. I repeated certain success stories like a mantra, and the words and people behind them saved me until the time came when I no longer needed to read them.
Initially, I was very skeptical, and within the community, I had the nickname “dooming guy” because it was hard for me to believe that my condition would improve; all I could think about was ending my suffering by ending my life. Fortunately, I didn’t take that path. When my condition improved, I began helping others, sharing my own experiences and the knowledge I’d gained from trying to understand what was happening to me.
It wasn’t easy because in these types of communities, pessimism, suicidal thoughts, and a lack of faith in recovery are common. When I returned some time later and announced, “It’s me, Tomasz. I recovered from Antidepressant Withdrawal and PSSD,” I was met with a wave of criticism and disbelief (especially since I, too, had once insisted that my condition was *permanent*). Nevertheless, I persevered.
On the other hand, I saw people supporting each other and being kinder to one another than most doctors. Many offered hope and assured those struggling with severe symptoms that things would eventually get better. People in crisis were reassured and comforted. I met hundreds of people who recovered and were able to move on with their lives. I also read many stories about families and professionals who were dismissive, coercive, or even abusive. These stories were especially painful to read because I had personally experienced many of the situations described. Based on my years in the withdrawal community, I believe that one of the greatest predictors of suicide is a lack of proper support.
During my recovery, I didn’t have family checking in on me, nor did I have a partner or children to help me. Most of my support came from people I met in online groups. In the first year after stopping the medications, I worked with an addiction therapist. It was difficult for her to understand what I was going through, and when I brought up the topic of emotional numbness due to withdrawal, I was unfortunately told that it wasn’t real. Traditional therapy didn’t seem to make sense for my condition of prolonged withdrawal syndrome and PSSD.
The only benefit of this relationship was that I could share my suicidal thoughts with her without fear of hospitalization, which would have meant being put back on medication. It was mostly people from online groups who offered me ongoing support and assured me that I would recover, that it was only a matter of time.
Sometimes support may not look exactly like what we truly need, and sometimes we must create a supportive relationship ourselves while enduring indescribable suffering.
Here are a few tips on how to find meaningful support:
- Find a “treatment buddy” in online support forums. Look for posts by people you identify with, who are at a similar stage of withdrawal, live near you, or share common experiences.
- Find a therapist you can trust. Finding the right therapist should feel like a job interview. It’s worth establishing upfront and asking how much they know about medication withdrawal, prolonged withdrawal syndrome, PSSD, and tapering. The response to these questions will clarify whether you’ve found the right person. You can ask similar questions when looking for a withdrawal-friendly doctor.
- Look for professionals experienced in psychotropic medication withdrawal. These people have the knowledge and experience to support you through the process. We each have different personalities, and finding support from someone with whom you feel the greatest connection can be incredibly helpful.
What does good support look like?
Good support comes from someone who understands medication withdrawal, validates your symptoms, and accepts them as real but temporary. Ideally, they would offer you understanding and encouragement while you navigate the recovery process.
A good starting point for close family and friends is to watch the documentary *Medicating Normal* or read Robert Whitaker’s *Anatomy of an Epidemic.* Both the film and the book provide information about psychiatric drug withdrawal syndrome and what the recovery process entails. It’s also worth discussing what you’ll need in the coming months—most often, this includes a lot of reassurance and hope. Medication withdrawal specialists can also speak with your family members or doctors. It may also be helpful to develop a crisis plan for the toughest moments.
If you can’t find meaningful support in person, online support groups are your last line of defense. There are many people in very similar situations, looking for the same kind of support.
Tomasz
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