Benzo & Antidepressant Withdrawal: Gaslighting in this Community?

Gaslighting in the drug withdrawal community is an unfortunate reality, and in this short video, I’m addressing a topic we don’t often discuss: the ways we may unintentionally gaslight each other within forums and support groups. While these spaces are meant to offer encouragement and understanding, they can sometimes devolve into suffering competitions or dismissive behaviour.
We frequently talk about the gaslighting we face from doctors, family members, and friends, but are we holding ourselves accountable for the same within our own communities? Let’s create a culture of support and empathy rather than one of comparison or invalidation.
What are your thoughts? Have you noticed this happening in online forums or groups? Or do you find them to be a positive space? Share your experiences in the comments-I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for watching, and I hope you’re doing well on your journey!
Disclaimer:
Melissa Boutilier is not a medical professional. These videos are not meant to provide healthcare, medical, or nutritional therapy services or diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any physical, mental, or emotional issue.
The information provided in these videos is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
Always seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, switching, tapering or changing doses of your psychiatric medications.
Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical advice because of the information you have seen in these videos.
All information stated is just from her experience.

[@amitabh15]

So effing correct. It never ends, I try and help others on a forum, and the mods themselves gaslight me. Aka SA Unfortunately this is the downside of such forums where the mods themselves are of the opinion that anyone who steps outside of the box of “withdrawals” has something else

[@14skmw46]

In acute wd i went on the group's all the time now after a year i don't go on them very often as i found it hard and distressing people suffering and in pain i had to take a step back

[@june1319]

100%. No one seems to be happy for anyone. But I’m afraid it goes for the human race in general, and not just this community.

[@Eliokd]

I brought up the issue of candida overgrowth once and how to treat it on surviving antidepressants and the founder of the site told me this is not a forum for candida overgrowth but for withdrawal. Well I'm suffering from both!! 😂😂

[@sylviadominguez8327]

Big hugs

[@LesterBenz]

Missy, my pride is hurt from not being able to work during this recovery, despite the fact that im educated in IT. Im 80 percent better at 36 months. As soon the looping intrusive thoughts stop i will return to my IT career. Please tell me that im still ypung enough to get life back on track at 32. And how much easier is it to function without the looping intrusive thoughts? How did you deal with the shame of not working?

[@Sears111]

I thought you announced you wouldn’t be on KZbin any longer.

[@juliannewman8720]

I don't think she's doing coaching anymore

[@linnm908]

How lucky we are she came back!

[@14skmw46]

I think she's stopped coaching but will still do videos on KZbin