Brandalyn // One Year Off & Healing

To learn more about Angie Peacock, MSW or to book a consultation or coaching session, visit: www.angiepeacock.com
In 2000, Brandalyn was a 27-year-old mother of two young sons. Struggling with a divorce and trying to support her family alone on $8.50/hr., she arrived at psychiatry where she was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and given the prescription drug, Paxil. She had an immediate and profound adverse reaction. In less than 90 days, she was hospitalized for the first time and diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. By that year’s end, she was considered totally and permanently disabled.
For 20 years she was prescribed more than 40 discrete psychiatric drugs at various dosages and in varying combinations. In 2020, she peered beneath the veil and departed psychiatry. On March 23, 2022, she completed her final taper.
In 2021, Brandalyn enrolled in community college while in the throes of withdrawal. She will be graduating next month and is transferring to a 4-year institution to study Cellular and Molecular Biology where she hopes to make a contribution in the field of deprescribing sciences.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Use of this information is at your own discretion. None of the authors, contributors, moderators, administrators or anyone else connected with “Lexapro Withdrawal Support Group” in any way can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these posts or comments.

[@markparks3600]

" They just wanted us to shut up and get out of there office" !!! I can totally identify!! Great video ❤

[@susanmorgan4151]

"I spent a week on the floor of my apt.. ." I so identify!❤

[@jodyrasp6080]

Two Beautiful Women! Thank you so much for Sharing your story Brandalyn. I’m Cheering for you!!!! 👏👏✨💐☀️

[@xy-qy2yg]

Thanks for all you're doing for the community to both of you!

[@Blu6556]

You are such an inspiration!!! Great interview. So happy for you!!! One question. Did you have ECT?

[@brandalyn1973]

Hi, Lori. I did not have ECT. I’d love to hear from. If you’re interested, Angie will give you my contact info.

[@Blu6556]

That would be great! Have her do that plz!

[@reginastone7223]

God work 🙏🏽

[@justkeepswimming6549]

Wonderful interview! Thank you so much❤

[@Jannietime1]

I almost didn't listen to this one because I'm over 10 years off, didn't think I'd learn anything but I sure did. I had that lump in the back of my neck. I asked a doctor once what it was, she said it was fat (she had food issues). It wasn't. Anyways, mine went away too. I'm still curious about it. I wondered if you were on antidepressants at all Brandalyn? I don't understand how some of us heal so quickly and others seem permanently damaged. How long was your taper and how long were you on psych meds? Thank you for so bravely sharing your story. I really related to much of how it was for you. Edit Oh ya, the part about this not being your illness was very profound. It totally is a societal issue that some of us carry the weight of. 🙏 Another Edit for Angie ... you asked what was going on, for me what I actually was experiencing was CPTSD, emotional flashbacks, they said it was Bipolar. Over the last many years I've learned to process my stored up trauma on my own. That is the help I needed but instead was so drugged I couldn't feel anything. There is no way to process your emotions when drugged up. I am grateful for my healing journey and thank you for what you do.

[@brandalyn1973]

Hi! I just did a cursory search and I believe the name of the condition resulting in the "neck lump" is Kyphosis. I was on several antidepressants including: Prozac/Fluoxetine, Paxil/Paroxetine, Zoloft, Elavil/Amitriptyline, Wellbutrin/Bupropion, Mirtazapine/Remeron, and Geodon.

[@Lisa-xf5uf]

@@brandalyn1973 kyphosis...I've never heard of that but during akastisia I had this scary lump in my throat, hard time swallowing. I thought my throat was closing. I thought I was the only one.....

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I have a few clients with that symptom right now. It does go away!

[@user-xg4dk3ch6y]

❤❤❤

[@mitch5222]

In withdrawal i expirienced so many terror, anxiety, etc. How can i know that kind of terror that i expirienced in withdrawal wont happen again in the future. For example i am terrify of getting old and alone. And now with ptsd how can i be sure that kind of terror wont happen again. I also have neuropathy in my feet that make me partially disabled.

[@susanmorgan4151]

How are you doing now , a year later?❤

[@mitch5222]

@@susanmorgan4151 a little bit better but still hard. Neuropathy in my legs, fatigue, anxiety everyday, sometimes delusions. It is still hard mostly because of traumas and i cant find myself after so many years.

[@mitch5222]

@@susanmorgan4151 not good. Some things are better, but my body is completly damaged. I have neuropathy in my legs, all body pain, no energy, traumas that change my personality completly. Anger, hating life, ....

[@jackiegerspachhas4237]

Do they get kick backs from prescribing these drugs???

[@xy-qy2yg]

My doctor in Europe really didn't. She just wanted me to leave the office and the therapists had pushed me on clonazepam. All I wanted was therapy for tinnitus and anxiety and insomnia and panic which I was feeling due to cortisone withdrawals and no one noticed. I had a life before cortisone. I took rivotril 12 days and got dependent. I don't have a life or existence anymore.

[@garysimone4977]

​@@xy-qy2yg in America yes Dr do

[@xy-qy2yg]

@@garysimone4977 but si'ce 2020 the FDA has becom way more strict and many doctors never prescribe it

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

It depends which drugs. Look on propublica’s website called Dollars for Docs to search your doctors name and see how much money they get from Pharma.

[@garysimone4977]

@X Y you think benzos are less prescribe ???