Why Antidepressants Make You Sicker, Withdrawal Effects and Stopping Depression - Dr. Mark Horowitz

[@NutritionwithJudy]

This conversation is so important that we wrote an article to give you extra support: www.nutritionwithjudy.com/tapering-off-medications

[@texaslovelylady]

I was hoping for a list to check, as my parents and sister take antianxiety and antidepressants. I want to know.

[@scarred10]

Are you actually an MD? This material is completely unfounded

[@scarred10]

So hes not even a consultant psychiatrist, jesus chrisr.

[@theresefrazer]

@@scarred10 respectfully most MDs are just individuals who have a 10/15 minute window to push a pharmaceutical… I remember the drug reps coming in with their little samples and spiels… it’s hardly wholistic … and after c🤢vid… I have lost all faith in our health system in Australia… I wonder who is funding our universities… God what a business plan!!!!

[@theresefrazer]

⁠@@scarred10What do you want from the guy? He is a psychiatrist, an academic, he has helped many individuals… just because he questions the narrative - you start Nitpicking …

[@edgetransit3320]

Mark is a genius. I'm 19 months off of a benzo...Klonopin. I still have my SSRI to come off of. I'm suffering greatly still. Psychiatry and big pharma will be held accountable one day. More and more research is coming out and more professionals are fighting for what's right. Nobody can understand this suffering unless they've experienced it. It's worse than torture. Most of us hope we pass away in our sleep.

[@ianstuart5660]

I totally understand how hard it can be. Sending best wishes and prayers from Canada! ❤❤

[@buckturgidson1448]

If you’re watching Judy’s channel you already know the importance of high fat and low carb for brain health and mood stability. Be careful and stay strong. Best wishes for a smooth journey from a 14 year Zoloft user (now 5 years off.)

[@christyconatser2680]

I was on Klonopin for 15 years. Took me 3 1/2 yrs to taper off. 18 months out I'm doing good. Hang in there. It will get better!

[@gregzanchelli]

Cheers on making it off of klonopin. I'm a couple years off myself, with an ssri and gabapentin to go. You're moving in the right direction, you'll be okay

[@valeriewestphal2507]

How did you get yourself off the klonopin? I’ve been very unsuccessful at weaning myself anything past 1mg.😢 I was on klonopin 1.5 mg & temazepam 30mg for almost 20 years.😢I was prescribed these by my PCP and then more drugs were pushed on me when I was inpatient at Renfrew for my eating disorder. I have been struggling with severe insomnia; probably complicated very much with Hashimoto’s and I’m stuck in a pretty bad hypothyroid state despite increased dosages of Armour medication. My whole situation is a nightmare right now! I also take OTC unisom and still can’t seem to get more than 4-5 hrs. Anyone with advice I would greatly appreciate!🙏🏼😢🙏🏼

[@kjbrocky]

Whatever you may be taking, if you go off of it, you must go very, very, very slowly!! People get impatient and don't go slowly enough and then have problems.

[@nancywall2054]

Do you have experience going off something slowly?

[@carynmartin6053]

Even alcohol! In Canada there's a clinic that does it for alcoholics with small doses of wine throughout the day until the client is safely weaned off completely and they have a great success rate, I've heard 🎉😮

[@grizzlybear4]

Thank you. I have a severely rotten life. Sudden losses of all resources and home. Extreme poverty, poor health, endless needs, no help, moving all the time, harassment from local authorities, slumlords and homeless calamities, bad brakes and a car accident, and no space in my life to have a hobby or make a friend. I am a senior citizen, looking at "some day this awful nightmare will be over." Antidepressants will never cure a rotten life.

[@thesilverone94]

@@grizzlybear4 you need to reach out if you can. Maybe the local community can offer support somehow. Best wishes

[@barbrasullivan176]

Praying that you have good things come your way.

[@MsCarmel55]

Can you reach out in your community for help. You are not alone. I pray you find some support.

[@kathyorourke9273]

Citalopram saved my life. I’ve been taking it for at least 20 years. It was like night and day. I was so depressed that I couldn’t feel anything but sad and angry. I’m a happy person now. Never been depressed again.

[@Slewfy]

I’ve been on it for 25 years now. It helps with anxiety, but also reduces parasthesia and keeps my psoriatic arthritis at bay. I tried to very slowly wean myself off it a few years ago, but the stabbing sensation in my feet intensified and both of my hands became painful and swollen. Needless to say, I restarted citalopram and all symptoms abated. I suspect that this medication also has an anti inflammatory component as well.

[@teejay9395]

I was on Prozac for 20yrs. It took me 8 horrific months to get it out of my system. But for that 20years, I thought I felt better but in fact I just wasn’t feeling at all. It’s dehumanizing to numb normal emotional responses. And for those at the top trying to control everything, a country of zombies is very appealing

[@ianstuart5660]

@@teejay9395 So deeply true on many levels!

[@Helen-nv8el]

My sister has Bern on Prozac for decades. She's emotionally numb and is now suffering incontinence. She's scared to get off it and starting to "feel" I'd love to get my sister back and feel so sad for us both.

[@ianstuart5660]

@Helen-nv8el Wow, so sorry to hear. Too bad there can't be any legal recourse! ❤️❤️

[@teejay9395]

@ I’m so sorry for you both. Doctors are happy to write RXs but they have no real training or understanding about how to help people come off them safely. I weened for four months down to 5mg. Felt fine until two weeks later then disaster struck. By the grace of God i refused to go back on and eventually got clear. I’d never wish what I suffered on anyone

[@NutritionwithJudy]

can't agree with you more. I'm glad you are better. ❤

[@TheLord_MyShepherd]

I developed anorexia at age 13 and was immediately put on antidepressants. I'm now 50 and am completely addicted to Efexor (AND STILL SUFFER WITH SEVERE ANOREXIA, DEPRESSION AND PTSD). I have tried coming off them several times with withdrawals (including suicide attempts) so bad that I've had to resume them every time. The over-prescription and lack of warning regarding harms of these drugs is criminal. Thank you for your work Mark. Kind regards, Mary from Australia.

[@scarred10]

You cannot be addicted to any SSRI, thetes no mechanism that would cause that.Withdrawal effects and return of symptoms isnt addiction.

[@CowboyPants-h5p]

@@scarred10 Other than showing how perfect you are, you offer nothing of any real value. You just like to think you are superior. Not impressed.

[@theresefrazer]

@@scarred10it’s not addiction per say…. It’s avoiding the horrid side effects…. My sister is trying to come off them now, she was a psychiatric nurse, it’s a very, very slow process… My daughter didn’t have as much of a problem because she wasn’t on them for that long…. but she still had to wean herself off them…

[@beannamated]

​@@scarred10 technically true. However, it makes them more stealth. The withdrawal is far worse than opioids and street drugs.

[@TheLord_MyShepherd]

​@@scarred10 Efexor is an SNRI... and whether it's "technically" addiction or an absolute reliance and inability to stop taking them is petty semantics.

[@amyfarrell8799]

Antidepressants saved my life for 30 years until i could firgure out a healthier diet. Once i went keto and started a lot of magnesium i was able to easily get off them. I did taper off on my own. They really helped me through va difficult time

[@nargiza181]

How are you doing now?

[@amyfarrell8799]

@nargiza181 no depression.. no panic attacks No insomnia. Oxalate dumping. Still some autoimmune issues. .keto and carnivore have saved my life.

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

BS lol

[@nargiza181]

@@Texasgirlinacrazyworld ??

[@amyfarrell8799]

@@Texasgirlinacrazyworld what does that mean, ? Are you saying I didn't have that experience? What is your problem? You cant respect someone who differs from you? Bully

[@daybyday2496]

My daughter has been on ssri since 18. She walked in for 39 minutes and walked out with a prescription. I tried to advise her bit she trusted her doctors. They never asked her once about environmental stress or anything. Im disgusted. Shes almost 30 now and as judy says "muted" she is an entirely different person, no job, no ambition, hardly comes out of her room. Ive tried to help her but she gets aggressive. She was NEVER this way prior to taking the medication. Its disgusting and makes me so sad.

[@heide-raquelfuss5580]

It is CRIMINAL. Go to ' Santiago de Compostella ' with her in Spain. If you can... Maybe, it will help you both. Look it up, what i mean.

[@suzanbak1]

Heart breaking and so sad for you and your daughter. Please get support for yourself, too. I witnessed my adult sister in a zombie like state leaving her bedroom to bathroom to return to bed.. my mother watching with tears. A Dr was medicating her by blood tests alone.. different Dr.. things slowly improved. It is so traumatic to love a suffering soul ❤ I witnessed my mother’s agony while my sister and some years my brother too resided in her home or daily contact. It smothered her. Her faith, attending church daily (mass) and friendships helped her cope. Late in life she realized her housing them diminished them all. With help them moved out into housing and things improved as they were no longer kept by her. This may not be your situation.. regardless.. I feel for you. NAMI and other supportive organizations may help you. Don’t go it alone..

[@daybyday2496]

@suzanbak1 thank you so much! Attending mass and prayer has definitely helped me get through. I agree that housing is not very helpful at all, but I don't know how to proceed without it causing harm. It is definitely enabling her to continue this way. That's her in a nutshell - bedroom, bathroom, back to bedroom. It's so hard. She used to be ambitious, walked everywhere and applied to jobs just out of highschool! She was smart and kind and loving. She wrote books at 16, did her own dishes, cooked meals! Now she won't even do her own dishes. When I tried to kindly tell her it was in unacceptable to continue keeping dishes in her room and at least not bring them out to the kitchen it's like I was talking to her in a foreign language and I quote, her response was "what do you expect me to do" and I was baffled, I said, "I just told you what I expect you to do, please either bring the dishes out to the kitchen so I don't have a massive dump after I have already cleaned with dried food on them whenever you feel like bringing them out, bring them out as soon as you are done using them or do them yourself". She still acted like I was crazy. It has to be the medication. It's so disturbing, gut wrenching.

[@c.s.102]

I hear you mom! First take care of yourself. Give your daughter the example, be happy, play, create art. Do whatever your expression is that you can express your hurt AND your joy. Be gentle.

[@Ajitesh-j1o]

Same happened with me, Psychiatry is a Very Cruel Branch of Medicine

[@jack_83465]

thank you for putting Dr Horowitz's work up here Judy

[@lilithstuff8355]

18 months to come off Citalopram. A year for the last 5mg. Last dose was 1.25 mg for three months. I used liquid citalopram. I regret not halving the final dose yet again. Should have taken twice that long. Problems did not start in earnest until I was completely off. Would not recommend to anyone. Still having issues 2.5 years later although it is much less. The terrors were something else! Icould not have done it at all if not eating carnivore as it reduced so much inflammation

[@maisie6904]

Same here - carnivore was the only way - no meds ever again x

[@thesilverone94]

@@lilithstuff8355 that’s some journey! Can I ask why you went on the med in the first place? Best wishes to you.

[@beannamated]

Same w Pristiq (after MANY other drugs, initially Zoloft given to me by a doc friend because I wasn't up to going to the gym with him after a long day of work driving around Southern California). Beware of their pharma questionairres. They can twist ANYTHING to sound like it's "depression". I was so stupid to take it. It almost immediately caused bruxism and severe neck and head pain, but nobody knew about that back in the 90s. I was permanently disabled by neuromuscular movement disorders/dystonias, known to be caused by SSRIs and other serotoninergic drugs, by 2001, in my 30s. My entire adult life stolen. These drugs also caused brain damage and dementia. There's extensive literature on this.

[@TheMomjen]

Judy, you are such a blessing. I am so grateful for all you do to help others:)

[@pippilotta3511]

Agree. She is a true blessing ❤

[@annettestephens5337]

This is so interesting to me. I started citalopram 40 years ago and had many attempts to reduce and come off the drugs, but always had a melt down and had to go back on them. Once fully fat adapted on the Carnivore diet I decided to try again at reducing the dose from 40 mg because I was fed up of living life fairly emotionless and uninterested in living. I didn’t tell anyone else incase I failed and took a year to get to zero dose. I wish I had known the information given here. Thank you both.

[@paulaelkins7618]

How did you wean off?

[@annettestephens5337]

@ Hello Paula, thank you for your interest. The actual gradual reduction of the dose took place over a period of approximately one year and when I needed a smaller daily dose I cut the meds in half and then began taking them every other day, then only twice a week, then once a week etc. As last Christmas approached, I did feel some anxiety so I practiced slow heavy breathing until my heart calmed down again. It’s not been straight forward for me though. I gave up alcoholism too and am now dealing with the raw truth of why I needed the meds/alcohol in the first place. I’m currently facing the traumas of my childhood which is very uncomfortable, but kind of better than going back on the zombie inducing drugs. Hope that’s a clear explanation.

[@katrinjl0103]

​@@annettestephens5337did you have withdrawal symptoms?

[@tomdenisewalpole7560]

So proud of you🤗 Childhood trauma forms and shapes every part of your being. Never stop fighting for your peace and joy! You are a survivor❤️‍🩹

[@i.ehrenfest349]

How hard was it, Annette, when you were on carnivore? Was it easy? Or still hard?

[@alixdabrowski3737]

I'm in the UK. I have been taking SNRI Venlafaxine at a dose of 225mg for 27 years. For the last year and ten month's I have been micro tapering and am now at 50% of my original dose. I asked my GP to help with this and he merely told me I can never come off the drug and I should just take it for life. The cognitive decline I have suffered however, motivates me to work on getting off it regardless of this advice. So here I am, knowing the worst is still to come when I get into the final third of my original dose, doing it completely alone. This drug has ruined my life. I feel nothing.

[@QWEENG1G1]

I'm surprised. Doctors normally say you can taper off in a few weeks or so. Just half your dose weekly and you'll be fine. That's only because they haven't tried tapering off themselves!

[@JasonHoward-x2t]

I used cbd oil to get off effexor took five years of hell strong cbd really helped, effexor should be banned awful medicine

[@Mmcermes]

I got off Efexor 20 yrs ago after being on it for Fer months..brain zaps, impossible to function, never again AD but I'm still stuck on Xanax. I kicked fdntanyl and various illegal substances but the agony that Xanax give me even in between doses is another level. My memory is fucked up and my bones too. I regret the day I trusted the doctor to come off Heroin and she started me right away on 3mg Xanax..I can say I lost 2 decades of my life because I just don't remember 'em, memories are shattered. I'm always angry, cynical and can't plan my future because I forget or I don't have the energies to do what all ppl not taking this poisons have, I mjss that spark of life in my eyes.

[@AyaSmith-rb2hp]

I have taken similar in the same family, effexor, Desvenlafaxine and briefly venlafaxine. With Effexor I got off by using a razor blade to break it up. Towards the end of it I had terrible brain zaps and crying but did not give up. I hung on 4-5 days then all of a sudden it went away and I was fine. Recently got off 25 mg of Desvenlafaxine because was on alprazaloam and it seemed to trick my brain. I am gradually reducing as long as it takes . Don’t give up whatever the doctor said. I kept losing family members till my family of origin with 6 family members is down to just one, me. Several died early in life. I lost a son and just have a daughter far away now, not sure if I will ever get totally free of it. I have done it before and believe over time I will. Best of luck to you! ❤

[@hasnasoliman6722]

Wow! 225 mg for 27 years! Thats an elephant dose! I was on 150 mg for 10 years, 75 mg gpt the last 4 years. To continue reduction I need to have a more stable life. The drugs changed who I am totally. No Motivation, no drive, no interest, cognitive impairment, intolerance towards stress etc...I wish I could sue the companies. However, I wanted you to know that you are super brave and that anything is possible if we believe in it and that you will do it! Wish you all the best!

[@whatta1501]

Thanks, this is such an important topic to talk about.

[@azzumi1215]

What a brilliant talk on anti depressants. I tapered off Effexor over 6 months myself after my doctor told me to just stop cold turkey and wouldn't help me. Wasn't easy but worth it in the end. Effexor numbed me emotionally and even after being off for 12 months I'm a lot better but still have some affects.

[@hasnasoliman6722]

@azzumi1215 I am also on Efexor since 2013 and wanna get rid of it. How many mg did you take when you started tapering down and how many years did you take it before? I wonder if I might be able to get rid of it after so many years on it?

[@1timbarrett]

Dr Cho, you are a thoughtful listener. I love that. 🙏

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

She is a NOT a Dr lol

[@mdh157]

This is one of the most important discussions I have seen on KZbin. Dealt with a few different SSRIs, a tricyclic and other anxiety meds, and they NEVER cure the underlying problem. It does seem that many people would rather take meds than address whatever it is that is garbling their minds. I have made some dietary adjustments and have dug into why I was feeling the way I was, and both helped. Not taking anything right now.

[@lidanaude8022]

Thank you for this! Been on anti depressants for years.

[@manuhonkanen2111]

Here is a book on the matter at the video! Peter c. Gøtzsche: "Deadly Medicines and Organized Crime. How big pharma has corrupted healthcare"

[@NutritionwithJudy]

We're working on an article re: Rockefeller and the pharma world :)

[@Pylypczak]

Gotsche is a great interview

[@annie.bo.briggs]

I was on Ativan for 20 years and I've been off it now for about 6 months. The withdrawal is awful but it's gone now forever. I was prescribed it after a trauma, which I've been over, but getting off the Ativan is very tricky.

[@michellemonet4358]

Ativan is the hardest to get off of.

[@happynjoyousnfree]

He ended saying "love you" so cute even if he didn't mean to say that LOL I am a therapist and have gotten more and more brave about telling people that like him, I am MOSTLY anti-drug, and 100% believe it should be a last resort. I know that from my own mental health journey, that was mostly (thankfully) drug free, and consisted primarily of processing emotions, learning new skills, getting my needs met, and finding fulfilling work for myself.

[@SharonDonovan-f8i]

A lot of deep appreciation of each other.

[@ElleY-ks8pl]

Antidepressants can be lifesaving for some. Until they come up with something better, it’s important not to stigmatize those of us who need it to function.

[@Zaeiouy_dB]

Dr. Horowitz essential has just described what I have observed with my wife's illness since first being diagnosed in Great Britain in 1991-2.

[@svetlanaanthony2675]

Thank you Judy for bringing attention to this issue. Such a relief to know that I am not alone in this boat, and to be informed by a doctor with extensive knowledge and experience with this issue. I have tried to quit Escitolapram (20 years) on my own and with a psychiatrist's help. I could not go lower than 10 mg. The doctor determined that I must really need this drug, lol. He was clearly not familiar with the severity of withdrawal side effects or the proper tempering-off technique. After listening to this video I now feel inspired to give it another try, but I do worry that the original problems why I started taking anti-depressants may return. I was suicidal (2 attempts) and had long-lasting periods (as long as 2 months) of severe depression. No particular stressors to explain the reasons behind it. Have anyone who succeeded with coming off the anti-depressants experienced the return of previous issues? After the withdrawal side effects vanished, of course?

[@hulasenorita]

Please ween off it slowly and at the same time try the carnivore diet.

[@svetlanaanthony2675]

@@hulasenorita, I have been a carnivore for nearly two years. It cured my anxiety. The second time I tried to get off the drug I was a carnivore for 9 months. It doesn't cure everything.

[@rhondasmith7413]

Go very slow. Allow your brain to adjust. Go at your own pace. Keep in mind that there is no quick fix. Be patient and love yourself.

[@thesilverone94]

@@svetlanaanthony2675 I was on Escitalopram for around 10 years. I went down from 10 mg to 5 mg and then 3 months to ween off. I stayed off for 1 year until a major event happened to me and I’ve been back on for around 6 years. I only ever took it for chronic anxiety and low mood. It does nothing for either now. I’m going to think about coming off again and maybe trying Keto/carnivore. Best wishes.

[@iss8504]

Prozac is no joke. The psychiatrist assured us it was safe for my child, who started at 10. By 12 he was feeling good and then we fought for 8 years trying to get him off. He finally did it but struggles with anxiety today. He went back on briefly but the anxiety persisted and he said he felt flat, mot necessarily not anxious. We are trying diet now but it is not easy

[@Audifan8595]

I pray the dietary changes help. I only took SSRIs for about two years and it has done permanent, destructive damage to my brain. I have been carnivore for two years and have seen massive improvements from that and therapeutic use of psychedelics, but I know I'm still not right and maybe never will be. I worry for people who have been on them for many many years or decades 😢

[@WaterAndFire888]

@@Audifan8595What kind did you take?

[@Audifan8595]

@@WaterAndFire888 Lexapro for about a year and a half, and then Effexor for two-ish months. I also was on Wellbutrin for ~4 months concurrent with the Lexapro, but I discontinued it because it was giving me hand tremors. I had those tremors for another 3 years after I stopped taking it.

[@scarred10]

No 10 yo should be on Antidepressants, you must be american.

[@Audifan8595]

@@WaterAndFire888 weird, KZbin deleted my reply. I took Lexapro, and very briefly (less than 3 months) Effexor

[@cathygauronski5354]

TY Judy for bringing this issue to light and your knowledgeable guest, Mark.

[@Maryan90]

Excellent doctor. He did so much for Protracted Withdrawal syndrome awareness...

[@alibabaintelligence8555]

Amazing guest and important topic!

[@moomin8251]

In my experience here in England doctors dish out antidepressants like sweets, it's only after a few years of increasing the dose with no improvement that they suggest any kind of therapy. I've seen it in my grown kids. And a GP put one daughter on Duloxetine for fibromyalgia! She's tried so hard to come off it, at first the 'official' way and had terrible brain zaps and other horrible symptoms. She's now opening the capsules and taking out a couple of the balls, it will take years. Someone should be held responsible and doctors should make a bit of effort to understand exactly what they're prescribing.

[@notnow7973]

Try Floradix liquid iron. I’m taking this and it helped me get my energy back. All natural. German company.

[@emosag]

SSRIs messed me up so badly. In fact I believe they caused the majority of my food intolerances. I’ve never been right since taking them. I’m thankful for therapeutic approaches like the ketogenic diet that have helped me manage life better since then ❤

[@CowboyPants-h5p]

There is NO empirical evidence implicating SSRIs in initiating food intolerances. You are WAY off base. Think again.

[@0Apostata0]

I have had something similar, I have been on them for one year and then stopped. Started getting chronic migraines and food intolerances I never had before.

[@0Apostata0]

@@CowboyPants-h5p Doesn't mean it isn't true.

[@elletuppen4844]

The recent announcement of the reasons for Thomas Kingston’s tragic death are related to these antidepressants and sleeping pills causing mental confusion etc which led to his suicide. The work of Psychiatrist Peter Breggin should also be made more public. Thank you for the best discussion I have listened to on this subject. And a hug to you Judy.

[@janinekay]

I heard this guy had insomnia … that in itself can make you feel suicidal not the meds .. believe me that’s how I felt ! And I wasn’t on any ssris at the time . People are too quick to blame these meds for suicide.. they need to blame something ..it’s sad … no loved one wants to think their loved one is suicidal . I know as I Iost my friend to suicide who was very depressed but always put on a brave face like nothing was wrong. She actually had come off her meds at the time of her death and they were not found in her toxicology report 😢 I truly think if she was taking them like advised she would be alive today 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@beannamated]

Peter Breggin is a trailblazer in so many ways!

[@galebrown6408]

Wow. This explains so much. Thank you.

[@celestepiccolo6586]

Mark and his work has saved my life as well. ❤

[@NutritionwithJudy]

He's pretty humble, and he doesn't realize how much he's saving people's lives. I only give credit when it's due and he definitely needs to be acknowledged for the incredibly important work he is doing. ❤

[@celestepiccolo6586]

@ I wholeheartedly agree! He needs to feel the love. He has mentioned that his colleagues are not kind to him which is sad. His work is needed so desperately. Hopefully his work will start to be taught in medical schools.

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

@@celestepiccolo6586medical schools funded by pharmaceutical companies… yeah, fat chance… lol

[@Zaeiouy_dB]

Great interview... thanks Judy

[@jcismyall]

It’s clear that the systemic long term effect of SSRI’s or SNRI’s cause the body to drain the adrenals which leads to the exacerbating fatigue and other neurological issues. Our bodies are a highway system very interconnected so ANY MEDICATION will affect all the body in some form .

[@beannamated]

BINGO! 🎯🎯🎯 SSRIs increase cortisol and act like steroids, eventually burning out the adrenals and endocrine system. Everyone should have complete endocrine workup BEFORE tapering. Micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc.

[@marciasloan534]

I like Dr. Cho. Very sincere.

[@deniseragona2383]

Powerful and very informative. Thank you both!

[@pointshealthcoaching8474]

Very powerful, informative & educational. Good to share this with others. Thank you!

[@sdjohnston67]

Wow. This is incredibly important.

[@StephanieBoyd-q8p]

I’m concerned for my 10 year old granddaughter who’s been on Zoloft for 3 years. I know for myself the carnivore diet completely eradicated my anxiety and eating disorder. I know it’s hard to get kids to eat differently. I want to help but it’s hard to bring up this subject to your children when they’re struggling. I would like to see a podcast on SSRI’s harm in children as well.

[@techjunky82]

I used Cymbalta for over a year near 2. My emotions were all over the place for months after coming off of it. I was able to stabilize it through micro dosing shrooms couple times a week for a few months. Then I found the carnivore diet and now I’m thriving mentally. It’s rough coming off them. My Dr tried to claim I was off them for so long it couldn’t be the side effects from the Cymbalta. It had been 5 months when I brought it up. I know dam well it was the drugs. Because I was on it for neuropathy pain control not depression. So I knew it wasn’t normal for me.

[@tourdelance3698]

I lasted two weeks on that stupid stuff for neuropathy and then I fired my doctor when I got off of it 😂😂😂😂

[@annegabels6680]

really really great interview!!

[@tuyendo7409]

Very helpful topic ❤

[@rosellapizzi322]

Precious video ❤

[@lydiaajohnson]

Such a necessary interview. Thank you.

[@rebeccatalotta9628]

This was so informative and helpful.

[@rido6147]

Richard Dorsey,.hi,.Judy you should have to Dr.Peter Breggin. to speak written many books why Psych drugs harm.great interview with Dr. mark.always enjoy listening to you and your guests speak.thank you.take care.

[@kateauxb]

What a fabulous and informative interview! Thank you so much for the info. This is criminal and heartbreaking what big pharma has done to us.

[@notme-xo5cz]

Thanks so much for being honest. Maybe the first time I've heard a Doctor actually give advice from personal experience. Venlafaxine ruined me

[@mazymonroe8749]

I was on my SSRI for 25 years. The tapering process was mainly physical symptoms, which whilst unpleasant were manageable . It was at around 5 months cessation that the hellish onslaught of emotional symptoms started. At 2 years I'm still healing and am far from okay.

[@kimgary5771]

I’m so sorry about all you have been through. How fast did you taper off? I’m trying to get off my benzodiazepines and SSRI too…😔

[@ReeseDaBeast808Tyga]

Omg judy das EXACTLY wat happened 2 me wen I was on my antidepressants back in my early 20s....and my friend who was driving me around said the EXACT SAME THING....that happened to me twice with 2 different friends

[@cheryljohnson206]

Great video, great information ❤

[@deflo56]

Look at the adrenals. Personally I had mild autonomous cortisol secretion from a tumor discovered during bladder cancer diagnosis. Multiple healthcare professionals without reason pushed these medications prior, during and after my diagnosis. Unfortunately these drugs do mask symptoms and keep the clients in line. lol

[@shan4145]

Yay! Dr. Mark Horowitz 👏👏👏 Thank you both for this video💎

[@michie43able]

Thank You both for this video and Dr Mark Horowitz also great information

[@lynneandrews121]

Nuts when you say that all depression and anxiety comes from life events. I have had anxiety and depression my whole life. I am 71 am fine now on sertraline. Would not stop for anythnig.

[@heathermjordan-durant8684]

So grateful for this video ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@WhitneyMallett-tw4fy]

I've been prescribed three different psych. medications at different points in time. My body reacted badly to the first - I lost consciousness rapidly (only recent change was the psych. meds). The second saw my oestrogen level dropping into menopause territory - my situation worsened notably. My latest medication didn't stop me self harming (overdose) - some people saw it as a suicide attempt. I have tried some of the alternatives Mark mentions without notable success, yet. E.g., exercising works sometimes, at other times it's given me opportunity to end the pain. Mark's body language indicated that highs & lows are diminished - in my experiences it's only the highs that are diminished (my partner noticed this first). No medication has stopped my 43 years of daily (on average) suicidal ideation. It's nice to hear people with similar lived experiences saying that "it gets better" but I've not seen any sign of this - possibly because I waited 38 years before seeking help.

[@joycepappan4796]

I am on paraxatine. Been on it at least 5 years. Will have to try to go down slow

[@TwilightOperative]

I find this video extremely painful to watch as I have been living with the consequences of Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) after discontinuing venlafaxine, which I had been taking for 10 years at high doses. The severity of this condition has left me deeply depressed, as I have lost all libido, and I often feel overwhelmed by the thought of life without the hope of recovery.

[@edgetransit3320]

I hope you recover soon!

[@patrick_McD]

Ketogenic diet if you are desperate.

[@NutritionwithJudy]

I know, I'm sorry. It wasn't easy for me either. I was flooded with memories of my past, and why I decided to get on ADs and APs. Keep fighting for healing, and don't focus on the negative. And as difficult as it is, we need this information out there because antidepressants are the top selling pharma drugs.

[@QWEENG1G1]

I'm not sure if you're male or female but it may have affected your hormones. Maybe you should get those checked out.

[@suziesmith2142]

Hi, I'm so sorry for your agony. I had to have a total hysterectomy on my 40's so my body stopped making hormones, altogether. I chose to get Bioidentical hormone replacement- not chemical hormones from pharma. The bioidentical are quite inexpensive because pharma can't patent them. The only high cost is going to a Naturopath. If you can spend some $ on the doctor visit- the initial being about $450,00.. eek, and subsequent, usually more like $75.00, you may find relief and get your funtion/libido back. I pray you will.

[@SS-ds9ws]

Most doctors do not realize this Majority of docs don't taper properly I was convinced I had to be on them by Doctors I trusted them even though I know(Now) they caused me harm for years. I would change antidepressants or increase becuz docs said it would help me. They ruined my life for many years sadly. 😢

[@maryannewhite3620]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been tapering off Klonopin for about 9 months. I’m at 1/4 of my original dosage. I learned a lot from your video especially about taking smaller steps as I get closer to going off completely. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@heathermjordan-durant8684]

Effexor scrambled my brain

[@sebastiangula]

Being on it was great (until it stops doing its magic), but after going off it feels like it has messed you up for good.

[@QWEENG1G1]

Everyone I know that took it can't get off it completely due to brain zaps.

[@CynthiaCummins]

I am a 65-year-old female and have been taking the antidepressant nortriptyline 75 mg capsule for prevention of migraine headaches for the past 18 years. Should I be concerned?

[@BirdieHaze2207]

Excellent information.

[@ladybird169]

I tried to adapt to duloxetine, but I couldn't. It helped with back pain a lot, and with hiperacusia too, but adapting to it was too much. Now the pain is back and I'm back to strong anti pain medication.

[@heide-raquelfuss5580]

Maybe you can get rid of back pain. Look up and bingewatch all video's. >> youtube >> >> No Carb Life

[@jackimorgan3373]

I resisted going on anything for a while. I had 8 bereavements including my father and my husband followed by a personal cancer diagnosis and surgery (thankfully very early stage) and thought it was grief. Finally agreed to take citalopram and have been on this for 8 weeks (3 weeks at 10mg and 5 weeks at 20mg). Will it be easier for me to get off this than if I was on it for longer? I’m now concerned re your warning over older people. While I don;t feel my age and am generally healthy I am 70. Just feels that doctors just give you a pill without warning you

[@ilikebmw]

yes

[@wilfy4394]

Wean yourself back of them. You aren't depressed, you are grieving. See if you can find a bereavement group locally, they're a great support or maybe 1 to 1 counselling if that's more suitable for you. You've had so much to deal with, you're having a perfectly normal response to the events that have happened in your life. I hope you find some peace soon. Grieving is a roller coaster and you deserve to have the right support whilst you go through that.

[@jackimorgan3373]

@ Thank you. My gut sense is that these tablets are not right for me I will follow the guides for weaning myself off

[@stellaancimer8505]

Sertraline saved my brain❤

[@NN-qn5ve]

Same here.

[@stellaancimer8505]

@NN-qn5ve well done, i Will probably have to change for prozac..but still amazing meds🙏

[@Ajitesh-j1o]

Are you able to Study Properly while using Sertraline?

[@erinlewis9124]

This is such an incredibly enlightening video, I have learned so much even just watching the first 20-30 minutes! Incredibly backwards how drugs are prescribed as a first line of treatment with all the information... I'm not anti drugs but people deserve to get the best treatment and information to make choices especially when there are serious side effects. Doctors should not let people stay on these drugs for 10 years when people needed them to get through acute situations

[@catherinemarsh5453]

I was on Luvox for 10 years. After a heart attack and feeling week as I was recovering, I decided that I didn't want to go to the chemist ever again to get another box. I wanted out and went cold turkey. After one day there were the brain zaps, then the third night was feeling of terror, muscle craps, and sweating in my sleep. I felt like a heroin user in rehab (from movies I've seen). I went to the chemist and mentioned this to a naturopath that worked there and she handed me a bottle from the supplements section and said here, take one three times a day. I bought it thinking that was really nice of her, but obviousely she doesn't really get the seriousness of my situation. I took three that day and when I woke up in the morning, there was absolutely NO SYMPTOMS! I continued these tablets for a couple of months and then decided to stop and see what happens. Nothing, absolutely nothing happened. I didn't need my Luvox or the tablets she gave me. It was a miracle. The tablets were Kava Calm by Natures Sunshine.

[@i.ehrenfest349]

And how long did you take the kava, Catherine?

[@i.ehrenfest349]

Antidepressants definitely work for me. They’ve gotten me out of a totally dysfunctional life and did the same for my friend and for my father. We had all three suffered for decades. It is far from perfect. It does not work by numbing us, because none of us three felt the least bit numbed. Weren’t the studies that concluded ADs work as well as placebo all short term studies? When I started my AD I can promise you I did not have a placebo effect, because I got worse on them, and nobody had told me that could happen. Only after many months did they help me and I could leave the mental dungeon I lived with. I know their side effects and dangers very well, and would love to be able to get off them. They’re a pact with the devil, as far as I’m concerned. But the idea that they do not work - well, my father, my friend and I would beg to differ. Strongly.

[@i.ehrenfest349]

Also…I don’t believe my deep anxiety is caused by ‘issues’. God knows I’ve had many therapy sessions - about a 1000, I’d say. I believe mine is caused physically. I just haven’t been able to find out what it is. We know that thyroid dysfunction, for example, can cause crazy anxiety. I am not someone who tries to run away from facing issues. Something physical is causing the horrible feeling I have, and ADs do help to bring it down by around 50%. Anxiety and depression are NOT only brought on by psychosocial issues.

[@catherinemarsh5453]

@@i.ehrenfest349 2 months

[@catherinemarsh5453]

@@i.ehrenfest349 They worked for me too. I never said they didn't work. But after 10 years I really didn't need them any more and needed help coming off them, so Kava did that for me. It relaxes the nervous system much like dope but without the brain changes.

[@DP-vz2su]

Love his smoking analogy!

[@JA-fg7bi]

What about people that tapered too fast and are now off SSRIs? Are we suffering any permanent damage? I tapered too fast, but I am off now for 3 months. Is this the goal and I shouldnt look back (at how I basically jumped off the building) or is there something I should do now? I feel ok, but wow I did not follow this advise because I didnt know.

[@krzysztof4543]

Some people are lucky and feel very bad immediately after withdrawal but some people (including me) got terrible effects up to 3 months after, when some stressor occurs. My post-drug brain was no longer like it was before and bad physical symptoms occurred, the worst of which was insomnia.

[@JA-fg7bi]

@krzysztof4543 thank you for telling me this. I stopped at 75mg Sertraline(3 x 25md pills) I honestly just kept forgetting, then was like "well I seem ok even when I miss 4 days" ....so I stopped. I have lots left of 25 mg. After watching this video I was scared at not knowing what my consequence would be down the line. So started on 25mg a day. I have 6 months of pills at this rate. I appreciate your story because nobody seems to explain what happens if you feel fine cold turkey. So thank you.

[@thehoteldeveloper]

This stuff is absolute poison ☠️ Tried 3 over 15 years ago for 4 months and it was horrendous. A total zombie who couldn't sleep. I think my sleep issues I have now are from them. The side effects are wild. The brain zaps when I got off were bad even after just a few months. One of the biggest regrets of my life was trying that garbage.

[@okhuibutala1640]

Science is full of deception 😮

[@birgittafloren1716]

Im 24 months off sertraline still lots of hard withdrawal symptoms .I tapering 27months 😢

[@mariannelabanane2589]

I am trying to get off of paroxetine (wich I took for 25 years - unable to withdraw, but trying from time to time (and failing) since 15 years) since 5 years and I had massive health problems (it took a while until I understood those health problems were caused by paroxetine withdrawal - I was trying to undesrtand why I was soo sick (totaly invalid)). I manage to go down from 20mg to 10mg in 5 years. The witdrawal effects are so massive, it's nearly unbelivable. I suffered sooooo much in the last 5 years (I was trying to find ways to kill me without doing to much harm around me. I was even praying to die at one point! I lost my boyfriend who was so precious to me :( :( ). These pharmaceutical companies are criminal. They are factories to kill, and I am not saying that lightly. :( :(

[@yolandarojas9832]

Mark the Best ❤

[@theresefrazer]

Oh wow… I’m from a family with a history of depression, my parents were both psychiatric nurses so really believed in the wonders of pharmaceuticals… I instinctively took another direction … when depression and anxiety came to visit I took another direction, I have always been wary of big pharmaceuticals…(I typically binned them within a week) It shocked me that psychiatrists were not trained or were aware of the side effects when coming off these medications …

[@ladybird169]

I love your commercial ❤

[@scottstevens6380]

Thank you.

[@RoadMechanic]

the hardest drug i ever withdrew from was Xanax.

[@Mmcermes]

I kicked fentanyl, illicit drugs like crack and ice.. but can't come off Xanax, just the interdose withdrawal is driving me insane and I've been on 3mg/day max. The doctor who prescribed me Xanax after 10 min chat to get off class A drugs haa ruined my life so much. I'll never regain those years (which I barely remember), nor the money or stress caused by 5 car accident (1caused by Lyryca+Xanax+opioid), being dragged to the ER because I blocked out..this was unnecessary. Do your research before trusting a doctor pushing pills instead of listening to what's wrong with your life.

[@DP-vz2su]

He is a godsend!

[@w8omg]

I will say - I've been prescribed mirtazapine twice in my life at 15mg and 30mg... For me at least the dose is ridiculous.. 1mg is enough. 15mg is like using a sledgehammer to crack a pistachio... 1mg or half a mg and it's plenty.

[@ladybird169]

So true!

[@Vjaffacake-c6t]

My doctor put me on those, but didn't tell me I might put on weight. I put on 2 sizes in four months, ended up even more depressed.

[@annehedonia156]

That stuff made me want to eat everything that wasn't nailed down. Appropriate analogy, too. I'm thinking Remeron is a med that is stronger at lower doses, so 15mg has stronger effects than 30mg does.

[@InnaLamport]

Some people feel so bad , that they are gladly willing to cut pleasure pole as a trade off for hell pole. Also depression questionnaires are still subjective. And unrelated to this “objective “ tools , people just feel better and prefer to stay on medication. Most have no adverse events. Had patients on SSRI for 25 y. Still effective. What is the point of stopping. Agreed that like everything else those are overprescribed

[@WaterAndFire888]

Why is so hard to get off Paxil. What does it mean that this drug has short half-life? Does anyone had positive outcome?

[@jensss.]

I was on Wellbutrin (not an SSRI but considered an anti depressant) for 6 months. I started at the lowest dose for a couple weeks and noticed nothing. Increased dose for a couple weeks and noticed nothing. Went to the highest dose and still noticed nothing. I was told it takes a while to notice benefits so I kept taking it. I ended up never noticing anything at all. I actually forgot to take it for 10 days in a row and even then, I didn’t notice any withdrawal symptoms or any discomfort. It was like I was taking placebo the entire time. I didn’t continue taking it after that.

[@evyandonch553]

I’ve been on 300mg Wellbutrin for over 10 years - I didn’t want an SSRI because I felt like the walking dead - it seems to work for me but I am in a much better place now and have tried several times to come off it. I’ve been told there are no withdrawal effects HAH! I had leg spasms like uncontrollable kicking during the night and awful rumination, so then I tried tapering but when I got to 150mg every other day I had anxiety and more rumination. I now have head shakes and numerological symptoms from being on it for so long. I feel like a slave to the drug and I feel like I will have to take it the rest of my life. Thank goodness I am in a country where I can get meds for super cheap (8,00 euros for a month supply).

[@kirakeynow]

@@evyandonch553 300mg is a high dose. At 150mg you literally feel no withdrawal, maybe only tiredness. SSRIs are the real devil. Actually Wellbutrin gives you anxiety because its a stimulant

[@SheilaSchwartz-t6c]

That IS more an energetic , I took It many years , then I changed for lamotrigine and efezor.

[@kirakeynow]

@@SheilaSchwartz-t6c Wellbutrin is known for giving anxiety and not improving it

[@davidjohns5236]

Agree so much!! Almost all depression is reactive depression that is some social or personal reaction to psych social stressors. Address the social problems & often will resolve depression. It’s not a chemical imbalance of brain!!

[@anonymoususer7606]

Ssri’s are very strong antifungals. Taking an antibiotic all the time is not good. Just like taking an antifungal all the time is not good. But these Ssri’s can be very potent antifungals especially for those who can’t afford a doctor to treat cirs or mold etc.

[@anonymoususer7606]

Makes you wonder why 90% of mental health cases get better and or go away on keto/carnivore. Is mental health a microbiome issue?

[@annegabels6680]

mom been on venlafaxine for 30 years...this normal? before that paxil...she is 82 and demented, delusional, out of it...what to do now?

[@sebastiangula]

No idea but tapering Venlafaxine was so tough it left me with some OCD-like habits.

[@angielepore]

@@sebastiangula sorry you had to go through that...hope you are well now

[@suziesmith2142]

The gut microbiome may also play a big role. Check Cardiologist Dr. Davis. He stumbled onto the microbiome issue quite by accident but has learned a lot. I'm sure you'll both find his research interesting, if you're not already familiar.

[@Thedoseisthepoison]

When I started carnivore I was already on keto for 3 months, then when I cut out veg I experienced about a week of euphoria and thought I could begin to taper off antidepressants but I have never been able to get back to that euphoria-anyone else experience euphoria? Anyone know how to get it back?

[@evyandonch553]

I have-it feels so good. Next best is fasting or fast mimicking diet + exercise.

[@ellenanortje3707]

Does low dose naltrexone help with coming off psychiatric drugs? Helps with alcohol and heroine.

[@thatlittlehomestead]

I don’t think any dr should be prescribing benzodiazepines on a daily, anyone would get addicted. I have been prescribed a benzodiazepine “as needed” for the last 10 years. I take 1-7 per month only on the days that I am in complete overwhelm. I have never had a withdrawal symptom as well my dose has never been raised because I don’t take it enough for it to lose its effect. The medication isn’t the problem it’s the carelessness of drs stuck in a broken system that wants the cheapest way to get you in and out. The system isn’t interested in treating the trauma they’d rather bandaid you with a pill at your expense because in the end your the one that’s sick addicted and trying to get off the meds that you never should of been taking daily in the first place. We have to be our own advocates for our mental health.

[@irisschneider4058]

There’s so often comments on the internet about the terrible “withdrawal” of SSRIs or SNRIs. They do need to titrited down very slowly. That is a known thing. So many people go off cold turkey or to trite down to fast. Getting off these meds MUST be done while having regular psychiatrist visits. I was on 150 mg Effexor and Remeron and was titrated down in 3 months increments. I had no problems. I would say, I felt less “saintly”, as in while being on, nothing could upset or irritate me. In the reduction process, I may have felt each reduction ever so slightly and then it was totally normal. If somebody feels the downward titration causes problems, the doctor should stretch out the timeframe further. What also could manifest is that the depression is of that kind that after the cessation process, a remission or complete remission wasn’t achieved. That can happen.

[@suzanbak1]

Thank you ❤

[@TheTheahart]

There is a difference between a situational depression and an ongoing major depression. I believe talking about a particular neurotransmitter is oversimplification, but I know there is a biological depression that is certainly exacerbated by situational stressors. I know this by experience because I can trace depression inherited from my father to his great grandchildren. Both generations were raised completely separately and I am in touch with them. It may be partly brain structure rather than chemistry but it’s lifelong and genetic.

[@Turquoise.Violin]

I tried getting off an anti-depressant but I got so much worse, so I had to go back on a new anti-depressant. The medication helps me. In my case, I believe I have no choice.

[@heathermjordan-durant8684]

Put on SSRI at 19. Severe brain zaps when i try to wean off

[@Helen-nv8el]

Prozac destroyed my secularity totally. Gradually weaned off and even after 6 months on experienced brain zaps and vertigo.

[@Helen-nv8el]

Sexualising.

[@JMJT325]

What is a "brain zap" please?

[@Helen-nv8el]

@JMJT325 A momentary "jab" like an electric shock in the brain. Very unpleasant.

[@rH20desfitness]

@@Helen-nv8elyes, I had severe vertigo that started 72 hours after my final dose. Brain zaps and tinnitus.

[@diwilliams2960]

Does using a generic for Lexipro? Or is it the same.

[@Laura-il5lo]

The problem is not the SSRIs, the problem is people being prescribed them when they don't need them. If taking one "numbs you out" and makes it so that you don't enjoy activities you normally enjoy, then I got news for you, if you still were enjoying all these activities you weren't depressed in the first place and shouldn't have been given the drug. As far as numbing out, if you are constantly below baseline, you're hoping to be numbed out from that. If you only feel the highs being numbed then you shouldn't have been prescribed the drug because someone with plenty of highs to be numbed is not depressed! Again, the main problem is that the drugs are given to people who are not depressed.