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Genevieve's avatar

Hi. Im 35, cis female. At age 12 I was put on fluoxetine, it didnt work they said, many drugs later with either bad side effects or not working, By the age of 15 I was termed “treatment resistant” and given ECT. which didnt work either. More drugs. At age 30 I was finally diagnosed as Autistic. Ive been on welfare my whole adult life. Im in new zealand. Your story is alot like mine.

Im currently on lamotrigine and venlafaxine. Have struggled for years to get off but the withdrawals are brutal and im scared that it will be misinterpreted as mental illness when its because of the withdrawal, i know of others trying to get off venlafaxine having psychotic episodes due to the withdrawal not any mental illness they dont have.

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Chris James Dubey's avatar

Hi, Genevieve. Thank you for sharing, and I'm sorry you had to live through similar painful experiences with mental healthcare. I was on a mood stabilizer (quetiapine) for 12 years, and it was very difficult to get off of also. And I know venlafaxine withdrawal is especially difficult for many people.

Inner Compass Initiative is a nonprofit org. that offers support to people from all over the world regarding trying to taper psych. meds or any adverse effects from medication. They've been very helpful to me. If interested in becoming a member, here is a link.

https://exchange.theinnercompass.org/

Near the bottom of the page is a button to try out a membership. Above that, right above the icon of the golden birdcage, is a little note about how to request a scholarship if you unable to pay.

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Tina Antonis's avatar

Thank you, Chris!

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