Discontinuing Psychiatric Medications

There are many reasons to stop taking psychiatric drugs. One reason is to restore the range of normal human emotions that allow us to experience life. Psychiatric drugs blunt emotional responses, creating a zombie-like effect. In handling grief and pain, we are able to process and understand the events that caused those emotions. Maturity and growth are otherwise limited, and we do not advance. The following letter beautifully explains that process (from a patient treated at the Institute for Progressive Medicine).

-Allan Sosin, MD
www.iprogressivemed.com

In 2006 my youngest daughter was leading a very charmed life, the only daughter of a doting but divorced father and mother, having the privilege to be studying out of state at the University of Oregon. Not a care in the world except getting term papers in on time.
All that ended abruptly when her beloved father had a major stroke whilst undergoing a minor surgical procedure. Being that her father had never remarried, Hayley was his only living relative, and at the tender age of 20 had to drop out of school and relocate to Arizona to become his full-time caregiver.

With many twists and turns in the road and after one year of endless medical interventions, her father tragically died. With so much trauma and responsibility placed on such a young person, my daughter was counseled by professionals who advised her to take Zoloft by day and Klonopin at night to help her sleep and cope with life. For one year, her feelings and emotions were chemically suppressed by these drugs and she moved through her days without a single tear. Finally she called her me and said she missed her father so very much and wished she could cry tears, but due to the drug induced state she was living, this function was not available to her. Together, we discussed weaning her off these psychotropic drugs but knew the journey would be hard and long.

Thankfully, there was help in sight and it came in from The Institute for Progressive Medicine. The professional team there advised my daughter that she needed to detoxify the chemicals that her body had become so very dependent on by having daily IV detoxification and immune drips. At the same time, they also educated her on a naturopathic approach to helping her sleep at night and also to be able to get through her day and cope with the natural function of “feeling”. Of course, there are days that she has her melt downs regarding the tragic events that she experienced, but with a life-line phone call to the doctors and staff at IPM, she moves through these days and comes out the other side, drug free and is currently working through the natural grief process that she has been long overdue. Thank you IPM for having the knowledge and the professional insight to give me back my daughter. – F.H.

(*The information contained in this article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or condition. These recommendations have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No content contained in this article is a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never increase, reduce or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. If you are seeking the advice of a medical professional and wish to make an appointment with one of our doctors, please call our office at (949) 600-5100. Unsolicited e-mail may not be answered and is not a substitute for obtaining medical advice in person from a qualified health professional. If you have a medical emergency, contact your personal physician or local medical emergency service immediately.)