My first psychiatric commitment was in 2010 in Horsham Clinic.
I was 22 and had a breakdown at my first job. I had one session with a therapist before I was told I was depressed and needed medication. One therapy session.
I saw a psychiatrist who put me on klonopin and zoloft and then left for vacation. I was not told what to expect. I was on it maybe 2 weeks when my depression got worse. I started going to his back up. I tried several more ssri’s. Each only for a week or two and my condition worsened initially on each. I was never told it may get worse before it gets better, or to wait 6 weeks for effect. I reacted hard to effexor and that is how I ended up in the hospital. I was put on abilify there. I would stay on antipsychotics for 11 years.
No medical tests were done for differential diagnosis.
I have never been to a neurologist.
No nutritional deficiencies checked.
No one examined my prior 40lb weightloss.
Or the fact that I was taking large doses of Benadryl to sleep.
I was put on a dangerous medication without my informed, educated consent.
There is no protocol for antipsychotic withdrawal.
We wait for patients to stop on their own and hope they live through it.
We deserve better.
Laughs and Lobotomies 