Do not abruptly stop psychiatric drugs!

Most psychiatric drugs are addictive and can produce withdrawal symptoms if stopped too abruptly. Symptoms of withdrawal can be emotionally and physically distressing and sometimes dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms happen because the Psychiatric drugs suppress Cholinergic nerves, these nerves control arousal, awareness, learning, memory and attention (the Vegetative and digestion processes of the body). Withdrawal symptoms are your emotions being switched back on. Long term use of Psychiatric drugs can cause serious health problems.

Drugs that can cause withdrawal symptoms are neuroleptics or antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants such as Ritalin, minor tranquillizers such as Valium and Xanax and prescription sedatives or sleeping pills.

Study References

In numerous studies Psychotherapy has proved to be more effective than Psychiatric drugs. (See the book Community Mental Health (1989) and also see the book The Limits of Biological Treatments for Psychological Distress (1989) Bertram Karon.

A review of research studies led by Melba J. T. Vasquez PhD concluded that “Psychotherapy is effective and helps reduce the overall need for health services (Drugs) and produces long term health improvements”.

Joan N. Cook PhD from Yale University published a research study in December 2019 in ‘Psychiatry Research’ from long term data analysis and concluded that for serious conditions like PTSD Psychotherapy should be offered, preferentially, over medication.

Conclusion

Psychotherapy is more effective as a treatment for mood, apathy, suicidal thoughts, work and general interests and has zero side effects.

Psychiatric drugs mostly influence sleep and appetite by suppressing the Cholinergic nerves of the Automatic Nervous System the vegetative and digestive processes of the body. Although these drugs may help with sleep research shows they are not as effective as Psychotherapy in helping with depression, anxiety, apathy, mood, suicidal thoughts, trauma, social engagement and work performance.