Any Teen/Child Victims of Psychiatry?

[Goldy]

I was first started on Psych meds at 13 or 14, and have been on them ever since. It seems like nothing can ever take back the anger I feel about losing all those years lost in a blur of side effects, withdrawals, etc. Has anyone else experienced the trauma of having been through this in their childhood/teen years? If so, did you ever get past it and move on?

[Barbarannamated]

Goldy ~

I was a late 'bloomer' (30s) but worry about my husband's niece who started at about 13 and is still in it --ADD/bipolar /several hospitalizations ~she's now in early 20s and a lovely young lady so it 'appears' that all of the meds are 'working' although she has lost her artistic passion and has no interest in dating /mating/having children ~a way of life and to be expected as younger generation raised on meds gets into the typical marriage/childbearing years ~

I apologize that ive not read or cant recall your history ~what do you see as the future for your generation

[angie007]

Hi Goldy,

 

I just popped by to say i share your anger, although i wasnt put on these meds as a teen, i really feel for you and wish you well ion your recovery from them .

[Goldy]

Hi Barbarannamated. I can relate to your husband's niece's story a bit in that I also have artistic interests and I'm 18 now. Honestly, I'm pretty concerned about anyone in my generation who also got into pych meds. I've had stayed once in an adolescent psych ward (for depression), and had two stints in pyschiatric day programs. What I noticed from these experiences is that all of the kids there never even seem to consider that the meds could be causing/worsening their problems. I was raised in a pill for every ill culture, and the other kids there are told by everyone around them that their salvation can be found with just the right combination of meds, therapy, etc. I have a feeling a lot of them are still on pysch meds. I would be too if I hadnt done research on my own and discovered Peter Breggin's work, etc. It took a long time to inform my parents of these issues, and my older sister is still on them..

But I have hope that the situation will turn around as more people realize what harm the conventional treatments can do. Because I also know a few who get off of the meds quite easily and move on..

 

Thanks so much Angie007 for the well wishes

[Barbarannamated]

Goldy ~

Q: Do you recall what first got your attention and made you doubt the whole psychiatry ordeal

My niece seems open but she is still under care of parents and I dont want to cause chaos bt do want to open up possibility of dialogue ~

Any suggestions welcome :-)

[Goldy]

Hello again,

 

What got my attetion before anything else was noticing how terrible I felt on the drugs-- most notably I felt like I was "living in a dream". I was 15 at the time, and I told my therapist and parents that I was "lightheaded," because due to being zombie-fied by the drugs and being so young, it was the only way I knew how to communicate how I was feeling. My therapist always said it could "only be anxiety", so for a while I accepted it as such. But one time when I mentioned it again, the word she used to describe it-- "surreal-feeling-- finally struck a chord with me. It led me to look online, where I discovered what "derealization" was, and eventually I found Peter Breggin's site, which is how the whole withdrawal process starting taking shape.

BUT, as far as your neice, I don't reccomend showing her any of Breggin's work to introduce the prospect of coming off the meds to her-- because it basically horrified me (his site is filled with the worse possible reactions to psych meds, such as murders etc.) If I were you, I would introduce the topic to them as gently but realistically as possible: I think show them the Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs, by the Icarus Project would be perfect (here's a link to it below, or you could just google it.) It's a PDF and printable.

http://theicarusproject.net/downloads/ComingOffPsychDrugsHarmReductGuide1Edonline.pdf

 

Good Luck,

Goldy

[alexjuice]

I was first started on Psych meds at 13 or 14, and have been on them ever since. It seems like nothing can ever take back the anger I feel about losing all those years lost in a blur of side effects, withdrawals, etc. Has anyone else experienced the trauma of having been through this in their childhood/teen years? If so, did you ever get past it and move on?

 

Hey Goldy,

 

I was older. 17 when I started in therapy and 18 when I started on meds. I am 33 today and two years off.

 

I feel all of my life so far has been lost, needlessly.

 

It's a huge trauma and one that typical trauma specialists (mental health professionals) don't acknowledge appropriately. I believe it is possible to get past it, move on, and live a better life. Your experience, like mine, will always be with you. For instance, in some ways, I think I can never "fully" recover from things that happened with my family when I was a teen and were worsened with misapplication of Drugs.

 

That said, in some ways I am advantaged. I better know the world and myself. And I won't get fooled again.

 

Also, some wisdom comes from this. I've realized that my loss of health, a legitimate tragedy, has better prepared to deal with health certainties in the future. By this I mean: So far as I know, everyone who doesn't die young, gets old...older...until their health fails. It will probably continue on like this for a while longer.

 

I watch my father in his 60s and he still hasn't acknowledged his mortality. His psychic pain as he ages... I don't know how he'll manage it. He's always been healthy and, being a total narcissist, he told me two years ago that he intends to live to be 100 yrs old with no change in lifestyle and remaining in perfect health.

 

Anyway, Goldy, I think it's worse what happened to you, me to a lesser extent, because there was NO WAY for you to avoid this. It's really unfair. When I think of this, I get angry. It's okay to feel angry, in my opinion. You didn't cause it. You can get better and recover though.

 

Hang in.

[Goldy]

Hi Alexejice,

 

Thank you for your encouragment and for sharing your story with me; and I'm sorry it happened to you as well.

I'm trying to be as positive as possible about my own situation. I want to turn this trauma into post-traumatic growth rather than let it hold me back any longer. Not sure how I'll accomplish that, but I'll do my best. Still, I remain very angry at the system itself, rather that my parents in particular. Yes, they took me to the psychiatrist in the first place. No, they didn't always act when I needed medical attention for a horrific side effect (such as violent myoclonic convulsions non-stop for two days before hospital. Thanks, Geodon.) But I forgive them because since then they have done so much for me; they'll never force me to go back to a pychiatrist again, and my mom has stayed by my side in a ton of terrible situations.

And oh well, I'm making a legally-bound "pychiatric will" as soon as I'm off theses damn things, and it will dictate NO DRUGS EVER. And there's always sueing people . What doesn't kill you makes you stronger (I hope)..

 

-Goldy.

[Goldy]

P.S. My mom is 60 too. I've found hope about the whole aging thing through Aubrey de Grey's book Ending Aging. If his predictions come true, within the next few decades, through science, aging might be able to be prevented, and even "cured" (reversed). It's a very interesting concept, and I really hope all of that ends up being invented.

[Alison]

Hi Goldy,

 

I just turned 22 and have been on medication since I was twelve years old. I am currently just on the medication Seroquel (originally prescribed for depression and insomnia at 13). There are times when I resent my mom for agreeing to place me on medication at the age that she did without knowing all of the risks involved, I can't place her responsible for this, because I wholeheartedly believe she thought she was helping me. I feel like I've missed out on so much because I've spent most of my youth sedated, and my friends cannot even begin to comprehend what it feels like to withdraw (jerks, zaps, twitches, the pain).

 

-Alis

[Skyler]

P.S. My mom is 60 too. I've found hope about the whole aging thing through Aubrey de Grey's book Ending Aging. If his predictions come true, within the next few decades, through science, aging might be able to be prevented, and even "cured" (reversed). It's a very interesting concept, and I really hope all of that ends up being invented.

 

Hi Alis.. I'm 64 and hope the predictions come true. Might be in time to help me. Duh...

 

PS.. I just had FA day dinner with my brother (also of advanced years, 61) and my 90 year old Dad who does not have dementia (nor did his 96 yrs young Dad, or virtually anyone in his long lived family). My brother said his 14 year old daughter is on Zoloft because she has tantrums. I had an adult version of same and was so emphatic I think he may reconsider. Gosh, medicating his kid so she will will make less of a fuss. Heaven protect the innocent. And, maybe some among us who are 'aged'. (Schuyler shaking her head ruefully.)

[Skyler]

Hi Goldy,

 

I just turned 22 and have been on medication since I was twelve years old. I am currently just on the medication Seroquel (originally prescribed for depression and insomnia at 13). There are times when I resent my mom for agreeing to place me on medication at the age that she did without knowing all of the risks involved, I can't place her responsible for this, because I wholeheartedly believe she thought she was helping me. I feel like I've missed out on so much because I've spent most of my youth sedated, and my friends cannot even begin to comprehend what it feels like to withdraw (jerks, zaps, twitches, the pain).

 

-Alis

 

Alis.. I fear to have 'chased' you away.. Just, I'm not over the hill yet and could not resist! My Dad's family has a remarkable history that is free from dementia even when there were centurians.. this goes back at least 4 generations. Does not mean that I'll be free, but you did get me chuckling.

 

Btw, at present I may be the oldest on board, but there are a fair number in their 50s, actually there are more of us older types than younger, probably something to do with longer histories with psychotropics, but now that so many are medicated as children, this will be changing. As you are so sadly aware. ~S

[GiaK]

I was 19...I had all my early formative adult years on drugs...and then the next 20 plus years

 

you know though...several years now into the iatrogenesis, I can say, in spite of all the suffering, that I've still had a life...one that is shaped in part by the drugs, no doubt, but it's shaping up to be a hell of a life lesson with lots of meaning...and I can't say it's all bad...and I say this while still mostly home bound and in a lot of pain...and yes, I still often curse it all...

 

still, one does gain wisdom (as Alex points out)...just by living this life that we're handed and success is really NOT what the mainstream thinks it is...

 

hang on...a lot of the hellishness passes and we do learn and grow and ripen...

[Barbarannamated]

I just started another thread; should have posted here. I opened up to group of friends about my experience and it's morphed into others telling about the cocktails their kids are on as if to say "it's ok, we're going thru same thing..."

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2554-friend-teenage-daughter-on-cocktail/page__pid__25655#entry25655

[abster728]

I too was put on Zoloft at 12 I am now about to be 26 years old I successfully got off Valium as well that I was on for 15 years... Hardly no issues.. But I am completely terrified to come off this Zoloft... but I need to I need to see who I am as a person... to find the life that was so despartely ripped from my innocence.. We all must come together to show that these kids should have a choice.... What doctors think is a quick fix is a disaster waiting to happen years later... I know all this is cluttered together and rambling but I just needed to get that out...

[Barbarannamated]

Ahbay,

it came across perfectly. You got off of Valium which is hard to do. With the help available here, you'll do fine tapering off Zoloft.

 

A question for anyone: the teens that I know who have been put on cocktails of drugs, the problem was not depression but fierce anger and acting aggressively, especially toward the same-sex parent (girls to mom, boy to dad). When I was that age, the teenage years were known to be challenging, but I dont recall physical violence. What do you think is going on?

 

I had to extract myself from group of friends talking about this on Facebook. It was too emotional for me. I don't have kids, so i feel that my input on kid issues is automatically discounted.

[meistersinger]

Ahbay,

it came across perfectly. You got off of Valium which is hard to do. With the help available here, you'll do fine tapering off Zoloft.

 

A question for anyone: the teens that I know who have been put on cocktails of drugs, the problem was not depression but fierce anger and acting aggressively, especially toward the same-sex parent (girls to mom, boy to dad). When I was that age, the teenage years were known to be challenging, but I dont recall physical violence. What do you think is going on?

 

I had to extract myself from group of friends talking about this on Facebook. It was too emotional for me. I don't have kids, so i feel that my input on kid issues is automatically discounted.

 

It's called the 'me' generation. Parents nowadays don't bother with disciplining their kids effectively. I don't mean they should beat the crap out of them, like I got growing up, or abuse them in any way, like I got, both at home and at school, even though there was documentation of Asperger's being present in me from almost 50 years ago.

[GiaK]

I do think it's worth mentioning parents don't KNOW how to discipline their kids. And that a good number of them were abused too (and generally don't know that either). This is a societal problem with deep deep roots.

[jacqueline]

I posted in here but now it's gone I'm confused

[jacqueline]

I'm a victim, has anyone lost deep emotions and feel they have come back?

[GiaK]

yes, my emotions came back..big time...

[jacqueline]

Did you become completely numb on the drugs, inability to even feel love? How long did it take to come back?

[jacqueline]

It would reassure me a lot to hear if anyone put on during their teen years lost ability to feel and regained that after going back for I'm very scared of the affects from development. Thanks

[GiaK]

yes...they came back...in spades...believe me it can be overwhelming...getting them back in baby steps is a good thing...look for small changes. it will happen as time passes and as you come off meds...(your signature doesn't have your history so I don't know if you're still on meds or not)

[jacqueline]

Okay I added it, and another thing I'd like to ask everyone if anyone can relate to having their imagination taken away from the meds and if they recieved it back? Thanks again

[Meimeiquest]

Jacqueline, I was in my 40's when I started my "cocktail." Never have I been creative, but I was a high-emotion person. First that came back too strong, but now it's like the real me. I have started my first independent project since I first got sick...a garden. I really think the real you will come back too!

[jacqueline]

Jacqueline, I was in my 40's when I started my "cocktail." Never have I been creative, but I was a high-emotion person. First that came back too strong, but now it's like the real me. I have started my first independent project since I first got sick...a garden. I really think the real you will come back too!

 

yeah I was too! And it was one of my favorite parts about myself, aside from the tortured lows I'd sometimes go through, thanks for your encouragement!

[strawberry17]

No I didn't go on meds at such a young age, but, I just wanted to say like Ange further up thread, it absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of people so young being placed on these powerful drugs. Knowing what I know now I would never allow it to happen to my two sons. I'm in the UK however my husband and I have a nephew in the States who was put on Ritalin at a very young age and then I suspect other more powerful drugs, and now as an adult he has been badly damaged and left disabled by drug problems.

[jacqueline]

No I didn't go on meds at such a young age, but, I just wanted to say like Ange further up thread, it absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of people so young being placed on these powerful drugs. Knowing what I know now I would never allow it to happen to my two sons. I'm in the UK however my husband and I have a nephew in the States who was put on Ritalin at a very young age and then I suspect other more powerful drugs, and now as an adult he has been badly damaged and left disabled by drug problems.

 

That's upsetting what was he put on for and what problems was he left with?

[jacqueline]

I was also put on Ritalin at age 10, please let me know what issues he is disabled with, I'm scared I will have to live my life like this.

[Barbarannamated]

I'm a victim, has anyone lost deep emotions and feel they have come back?

 

I wasn't medicated as a child, but in answer to the second part of your question... yes, emotions are coming back in spades. The ugliness is overwhelming at times, like a Pandora's Box has been opened. Much of it is related to emotional abuse that I never acknowledged until recently.

EDIT: I just read farther up the thread and saw Gia used the exact same wording ("in spades"). I wonder why some experience this deep emotional excavation and others don't?

[jacqueline]

No I didn't go on meds at such a young age, but, I just wanted to say like Ange further up thread, it absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of people so young being placed on these powerful drugs. Knowing what I know now I would never allow it to happen to my two sons. I'm in the UK however my husband and I have a nephew in the States who was put on Ritalin at a very young age and then I suspect other more powerful drugs, and now as an adult he has been badly damaged and left disabled by drug problems.

 

Hi I messaged you please let me know the issues he still has because I am very scared I will have these issues for life from development, I look forward to hearing from you.

[GiaK]

jacqueline,

 

take care of yourself. learn to listen to your body. Eat good food, exercise, meditate...spend time in nature...

 

You Will Get Better.

 

it's a good idea to have some patience too....it takes time...sometimes quite a lot of time.

 

it's normal to feel afraid and feel like we'll never get better but people all get better...your youth is actually a big advantage too. Really.

 

Hang in there.

[jacqueline]

jacqueline,

 

take care of yourself. learn to listen to your body. Eat good food, exercise, meditate...spend time in nature...

 

You Will Get Better.

 

it's a good idea to have some patience too....it takes time...sometimes quite a lot of time.

 

it's normal to feel afraid and feel like we'll never get better but people all get better...your youth is actually a big advantage too. Really.

 

Hang in there.

 

Thanks

[meistersinger]

I found out a few months ago from my youngest brother, that shortly after his youngest son was diagnosed with autism as an infant, they had him admitted to the University of Pittsburgh Psychiatric Hospital. The only thing they did was pump him full of psychotropics. From what he and his wife told me, the poor kid screamed bloody murder. It's so bad now, he will never be normal. They no longer trust any medical or behavioral professionals.

[strawberry17]

You won't end up like our nephew, for a start you are very self aware about your situation and pro actively looking to deal with it. I messaged you back so you can be reassured this won't happen to you.