Symptoms: Akathisia, emotional blunting, cognitive impairment, depersonalization/derealization, suicidal ideation, tinnitus, severe anxiety/panic, anhedonia, GI disturbances
I explained that my life was in shambles because of an abusive, narcissistic partner and the trauma of losing my kids as a consequence, but the psychiatrist completely ignored those stressors. Instead, I was labeled bipolar and put on a massive rotation of drugs. For over two years, I was taking up to eight pills at once, including antipsychotics, SSRIs, Effexor, Gabapentin, and Lithium.
The medications made everything worse. The side effects were so debilitating that I was forced to quit my four-year career. I’ve been off the meds for six months now and am finally in a safe environment, but the physical damage is clear. Despite having no family history of it, my gallbladder failed and had to be removed, and I’m now dealing with MCAS.
It’s a relief to finally feel normal again, but it’s obvious that the long-term use of those drugs left behind lasting health issues. I now have to take H1 histamine blockers because I’ve become histamine intolerant.