I'm NOT Against Psych Drugs

Dear friend,

I just received the above feedback from someone who follows my work.

More and more I get emails and comments on social media with similar sentiments and I’m grateful to learn our work makes a difference in people’s lives, even if it’s in small ways.

I feel strongly about raising awareness around the proper use of psychiatric drugs because in my former career as a Psych RN working in the conventional Canadian mental health system for almost two decades, I witnessed the overuse, misuse, and abuse of these powerful drugs.

I’m speaking of reckless prescribing by clinicians.

Most people take their psychiatric drugs as prescribed and that could be to their detriment. I’m not against psychiatric drug use. I think there’s a time and a place for it. If used judiciously, prudently, and with extra caution, it can be effective. Especially in acute crisis and short term stabilization.

There’s really not a whole lot of research to show the benefits of long term psychiatric drug use, although I understand some people may require long term treatment if there’s nothing else that works to help them feel and function better.

There’s really no one size fits all approach!

I believe people would benefit from exploring natural methods, or less drastic measures like metabolic therapies and keto before venturing into the world of psychiatric drugs. And the reason is that psych drugs come with huge negative risks that can be life altering.

Some people describe these same drugs as “life saving”! And I don’t deny there are times that is absolutely true.

Yet, all of this depends on each individual.

No one can tell you how it’s going to go for you. There’s no manual on the human brain and body or how you’ll respond to psychiatric drug treatment. It’s always a trial and error process akin to playing Russian roulette.

I really have a problem with that process because for a certain portion of the population it spells disaster. I’ve witnessed it over the years on many clients, and I’ve experienced it in my own life. As well, I continue to see it in clients I closely work with who are implementing metabolic therapies and the keto diet and tapering psychiatric drugs.

The whole journey can be truly harrowing.

People can be stuck between a rock and a hard place when drug treatments fail and furthermore cause immense harm in their body, mind, and brain. And tapering psych drugs becomes incredibly challenging if not nearly impossible.

This is part of why the decision to initiate someone on psych drugs needs to be taken seriously. Informed consent is a must.

Discussion around adverse effects of psychiatric drugs including:

• Emotional blunting

• Sexual Dysfunction

• Metabolic Syndrome

• Activation of anxiety/depression

• Suicidal Ideation

• Serotonin Syndrome

• Seizures

• Insomnia

• GI Symptoms

• Cardiac Arrest

• Disassociation

• Irreversible movement disorder

• Brain injury or damage

These and many other adverse effects require on going discussion. Informed consent is not a one time conversation but an ongoing discussion. Likewise the discussion around risks vs. benefits deserves the same attention.

Patients should be supported in exploring as many different avenues for healing as possible. We don’t know what combination of things will work for someone. It’s our job to keep an open mind and to help facilitate exploration of various means of recovery.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

What has helped you most on your journey back to mental health?

As well, perhaps you’re still in the process of exploring additional improvements. I think we’re always a work in progress and so is the journey of healing. There’s always room for improvement and for opportunities for learning and growing.

If you’re ready to take charge of your mental health and curious about optimizing your well being, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m taking on new clients and would love to learn more about you and what’s happening for you.

Visit the website link below to book a 1-on-1 coaching session. I look forward to learning more about you.

Please forward this information with anyone who you believe would benefit.

Feel free to leave me your questions, comments, and feedback below. Thank you for taking the time to visit here.

Until next time, we continue in solidarity. 

Neseret Bemient, BScN
Holistic Mental Health Coach 
Website: Return to Wholeness Healing Services
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@NeseretBemient
Twitter(X): Neseret Bemient (@JourneyofHope4U)

BIG DREAMS

...start inside
...take courage
...involve effort
...include mistakes
...build character
...are achievable

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~