Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs

by Will Hall

This 40-page guide gathers the best information we've come across and the most valuable lessons we've learned about reducing and coming off psychiatric medication. Includes information on mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, risks, benefits, wellness tools, withdrawal, support for people staying on their medications, a detailed Resource section, and much more.

The guide is published by The Icarus Project and Freedom Center, two mental health peer support communities that bring together people diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, borderline, anxiety and other psychiatric labels seeking options beyond mainstream dominance by doctors and pharmaceutical companies. It emphasizes years of direct personal experience with medications and the experiences of madness they are prescribed to treat, as well as extensive, state-of-the-art research that goes far beyond the usual pharmaceutical and mainstream medical perspectives.

The guide was written by Freedom Center co-founder and Icarus Project staff Will Hall, with a 14-member health professional Advisory Board comprised of medical doctors, nurses, psychologists and acupuncturists providing research guidance. More than 20 other collaborators from the survivor movement in several countries were involved in developing and editing, and key research sources include the UK charity MIND and the British Psychological Society. There are photographs and art throughout, and a beautiful original cover painting by Ashley McNamara.

Based in harm reduction philosophy, the guide emphasizes personal choice and weighing risks and benefits for each individual. It offers non-judgmental support to people continuing to take medication or lowering their dosage, as well as people exploring coming off. The risks associated with psychiatric medication are discussed along with risks of emotional distress and mental health crisis, and the role of economic privilege in access to treatment options is challenged. Years of advocacy at the Freedom Center and Icarus Project have proven the effectiveness of this approach, which is neither pro-medication nor anti-medication, but instead provides accurate information and promotes choices and alternatives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Disability, Health

52 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Taylor P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Wonderful help. Reading it is like a warm hug, a breath of hope.

[wheels · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a good first edition. i hope to see it expanded, including more strategies and resources.

[Ester · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is free, informative and not one-sided nor judgmental.

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a support person I found this a very helpful resource, no matter whether medications are continued, discontinued entirely, or decreased.

The most important take home message for any support person: If ill people wish to discontinue their medications, encourage them to go very, very slowly, because the brain needs time to rebalance from the changes brought about by the medication. Discontinuing psychiatric medications suddenly is asking for disaster.

This book is written for the ill person him/herself but should be read by the support givers if medication discontinuation is being considered. Whenever possible, medical supervision of medication reduction and/or discontinuation is highly recommended.

Free download available here: http://theicarusproject.net/resources...

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good outline of the key features required. Some idea's a bit wooly. Medical models of mental illness are unproven, but there is still a lot of substantial evidence in support of the idea. And by the same token, the alternative's they seem to be suggesting are just as 'unproven'.

Could easily be called a rough guide to living a decent life... which you can do with or without medication.

[Corvus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while coming off of psychiatric drugs and found it validating and helpful. It does not shame people for taking or not talking drugs and makes information about drugs, how and why they work (or don't work), and methods to come off them accessible. It is a quick read and a good start.

[Jessica Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm thanked in the credits because I edited/proofread this.

[Savannah]

lots to think about here

[Neen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings me much relief in times of turmoil. I was fortunate enough to always know meds weren't the end all be all, but there is still that fear. What if I can't deal with my illness alone? What if those bad days turn into months again? What if I choose the wrong time to come off them?

This book helps me answer those questions to myself. It's so good to see that there are folks who don't judge. Anyway, this work has good resources if you are looking at going off meds (or starting) or just want to know more about the process.

[gbkMnkii · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic, but maybe it can help for someone.

[eri mrtva · Rating 5 out of 5]

důležité informace předané empaticky ke čtenářstvu, kterému zdůrazňuje nárok na individuální cestu skrz systém

[Moorea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something other than what my doctor psychiatrist keeps telling me. Finally.

Anyone who is fighting mental illness and needs a different perspective away from pushing meds down your throat, this is it, a guide to not fail at being your self. By being your best self with all considering. While you’re reading this book, tell your therapist about it. Tell anyone who will listen about it. They’ve got the resources to back this up, this book is no trick.