This happened in the past month.

I have enlarged prostate and learned that iodine can have a positive effect on it so I started taking 6.25mg/day. Day 1 no change in urination but better attitude and clearer thinking. My thinking seems much clearer now weeks in. Still no change in urination.

Fast forward 2 weeks and the real reason for my comment.

A marine veteran friend who has suffered panic attacks and depression for years mentioned this again to me the other day. I told him of my experience with iodine improving my attitude (that's what I call it, some might refer to it as improving from slightly depressed) and gave him 3 pills to take home. He called me the next day telling of the improvement but thought it could be just a placebo effect. After 3 days he asked me for a few more and has ordered his own because he is feeling so much better now. Depression has lifted and he no longer feels the anxiety all the time.

Note: The RDA for iodine is 150mcg which is just enough to keep you from getting goiter. Similarly the RDA for vit D is 400iu which is just enough to keep you from getting rickets. Your doctor will pretend this is optimal when reality says it's the minimum.

Rhetorical (and real) question: When was the last time your doctor looked at your nutrition levels?

You have to be very careful about withdrawing from psych meds cold turkey...as you are finding out...many end up in the hospital. Usually you need to very slowly and carefully titrate down to decrease your dose. Please be very aware...and careful of your situation.

There are MANY vitamins, herbs and other treatments to treat psychiatric disorders...I am glad you are researching this. Please continue to read and research. B Vitamins are essential...they are water soluble and are easily destroyed by stress so need to be replenished daily. I personally take 100-150 mg. daily and then extra of a few.

Here is a link to a treatment you can utilize on your own or with a practitioner...there is much info...even videos online to learn how to utilize this technique...it is EFT or emotional freedom techniques...I have successfully utilized this for many different things.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316206/

Be careful. My brother in law quit those meds and went bonkers. He literally totally freaked out. Lost his family, friends and became homeless. After a couple of years in and out of suicide holds he passed away from turbo cancer (vaXXXed?) I would recommend getting in touch with a support group like NA (narcotics anonymous) this is a very common issue. You must admit that you have been a legal drug addict for 30 yrs.

God bless you. I believe you will be able to beat this. And thanks for the B complex vitamin truth. I know someone that this may help her to beat her depression.

Psych drugs cause addiction. If taken long enough, they cause dementia. They destroy neurons, in that the neuron pares back receptors to prevent itself from over saturation of the neurotransmitter the drug is flooding it with. Don't take them, ever.

B Complex, and perhaps especially B9, is important for you (and all of us).

I see elsewhere on this thread that folks are talking about iodine. I support that fully. Please add it. It will help you in many ways.

As soon as you can, walk away from SSRIs and never look back. They are not your friends.

I send my best wishes on your journey to the top of the mountain.

P.S. If your PTSD (you mentioned "atrocities") is haunting you, please consider strongly the idea of taking psilocybin (once a year, typically) to reset the brain from eating itself. Many have seen great relief. MDMA and LSD work as well, but I think psilocybin may be superior to both and easier and safer (compared to LSD). Our ancestors have used this for thousands of years. Indeed, it may in a way be "in your DNA" to work with this chemical.

As always, seek to find a local person who can work with you on this and help you make decisions.

I gave antidepressants the boot over 20 years ago, but continued on the major anti psychotics for another 10 years. Not taking them was a nightmare, an indescribable nightmare but I managed it, praise the Lord. The psychologists and psychiatrists are very stupid people indeed, they will not accept any mental distress as anything other than their part of medicine.

They are not there to treat you, you are there to treat them.

Eat meat like a lion! The fog will clear.

Mods, this should be pinned

I stopped taking SSDI over 20 years ago. They’re horrible. I would say it was some of the worst withdraw I’ve ever been through. And I’ve taken every drug under the sun besides heroin. I’ve never had withdraws from street drugs, like I did from the SSDI’s. I highly recommend looking into some type of ketamine infusions for depression if you’re still suffering. But stay off those pills. Now that you were not on them anymore, stay off them. One of the good things about what you’re doing right now, is that you have to keep going. You can’t stop. You’re in the middle of a physical move, so this is going to help you to maintain some type of sanity during the withdrawal process. Sorry you’re having to go through this because it does suck, but it will be over with soon. Just stick with it. I’m so proud of you.

Something else that we might research is the Carnivore diet. A good place to start is Dr. Ken Berry's YouTube videos.

There are many other sources for info. There is a very strict form of the carnivore diet that may be very helpful in figuring out what foods/chemicals might be causing a particular individual all sorts of health problems. It is called the Lion diet, and there is much research being done on how it can help with psych challenges, depression, and all sorts of neurological problems.

My love an support to all of you who are trying to get off the SSRI meds. In y experience they dont work, dont solve the problem, and do more harm than good.

I went through a lot of shit and refused to take medicine. (Not as much shit as you.) I'm glad that you have gotten off of the meds. I'm sure my healing took a lot longer but I feel like I reached an awareness I never would have, if I had been foggy throught-out the process. Good luck on the remainder of your healing journey. 👏

Recommend dosing with Benadryl it helps with cymbalta withdrawal. Anti-depressants should be taken for no longer than approx 6 months no longer. withdrawal should be very slow.

Recommend 5 HTP 100-200 mg a day (I take it at night to avoid stomach issues) L-tryptophan 500 mg a day they will increase your serotonin and dopamine.

It takes longer than RX, approx 4-6 weeks to kick in. But you can take them as long as you need.

If you don't exercise, start it also helps with w/d and release of feel-good chemicals. Good luck.😊

Selenium dude. Take some of this. Or at least look it up and what it does. It also helps relieve 80% of autism symptoms.

Idk if it directly relates but the keto (or carnivore) diet can help with numerous different bodily functions. And not dirty keto with the snack bars and shakes etc. Just flat out consume nothing beyond meat (include the fat), eggs, hard cheeses, heavy cream, fish, veggies and berries (avoid corn as it is GMO'd to shit)

Thanks for this info. There is a good book called Depression Free Naturally, that has a lot of info about vitamins, supplements, etc. Also a book called The Mood Cure. They have been around a while. They seem to be associated with clinics that you can contact for treatment or info. There are probably more and newer books and info on this, and I hope that someday the psychiatrists and psychologists will get some training in this.

Look into St Johns Wort. This one can interfere with other meds so research it carefully, but it is well known for depression treatment. Black seed oil is another supplement that can ease depression and help with physical symptoms. Wondering if something like Neuriva or Dr. Daniel Amens NeuroLink (not elon) could help as well. Good luck.

I grew up in a holistic medicine household. Rockefeller trained physicians are reading a scripted book of symptoms then prescribing a recommended dose of a certain poison that probably has worse side effects than your original issue. Stay away from all pharma manufactured medications when you can. Many books available online that offer natural holistic remedies. Before buying a book from amazon always check e-bay for used books first since you can find many topics for less than $5.00

What a great post. There’s so much information here for anybody who suffering from some type of depression 👏👏👏

We all appreciate your service, thank you. Sorry you’re going through this. I had the same sort of experience. They had me on SSRIs, Ambien for sleep and buspirone and Xanax not all at once but boy, the VA was eager to hand out the scary stuff like candy. Everything I was on made problems worse and it took me years to figure out that it’s all worthless. It took a year to get off of the SSRIs. I did a taper for a month but side effects lasted, mood swings etc and what helped a lot was going very low carb and gluten free. It helped the digestive issues, lost weight, slept better, felt better overall. I quit drinking beer- that also helped the congestion and headaches and obviously improved the mental health issues because I would go to the dark side. I can still drink but I’m a lot more selective. It’s the hops that seem to be a problem for me.

So those are things to consider. I’ve also been taking Propranolol which is a beta blocker but has proved to be beneficial for preventing migraines, panic and anxiety and TBI issues. A lot of vets have had success with it and the one med I would recommend if you still have ptsd symptoms. It evens out your mood and prevents that adrenaline dump you get when anxious. I think it’s a game changer. You don’t get many side effects. It doesn’t make you tired and you can take daily or just as needed/prn.

Give it time, I promise it will get so much better. You’ll look back and wonder why you took that toxic crap and let them screw up your life for so long. Last- I know a lot of ppl who use weed. I can’t but if it’s an option, I’ve heard it helps a lot with withdrawal symptoms. Hang in there.

Retired Military ALONG WITH AN FYI...to get the bathroom straightened out --- get on a protein powder (preferably green stuff) AND PSYLLIUM...It doesn't matter which psyllium you take, just follow directions...and use it religiously---LIKE EVERYDAY...Also, won't hurt to take a good vitamin to help WITH trace elements while this is going on...

Your current symptoms are not true physical withdrawal, but actually discontinuation symptoms. You will feel terrible, but there isn't much danger of actual physical harm to your body as there is with true physical withdrawal. Cymbalta is difficult to discontinue because it has a short half life and needs a taper schedule to avoid discontinuation symptoms. Prozac has a much longer half life, so a taper is rarely needed. Prozac is sometimes used to help taper off of the other SSRIs with short half lives. These medications and nearly all other "maintenance" medications are not intended for lifelong treatment. They are meant to help manage symptoms during the short term while lifestyle changes or therapy actually treats the condition.

As for PTSD and any other mental health conditions including depression and anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for effective treatment and recovery. It can be used along with medication, but it focuses on identifying the root cause of the condition (when needed), recognize exacerbating triggers and thought patterns that reinforce the condition, and development of mitigating thought patterns and actions. PTSD is one of the most difficult conditions to live with, especially when it's caused by war and combat experiences. It's like living with non-stop panic attacks. Taking medication temporarily while starting CBT can help calm and clear the mind to facilitate treatment, but it's not meant to be taken indefinitely.

Although there are therapists who offer CBT, face to face sessions are hard to find and expensive. There are also CBT books, workbooks, websites, videos, and podcasts available.

Really important post. Thank you.

FYI

B3 = niacin

B9 = folic acid

Would also add Mg (either citrate or glycinate)

Hydrate, exercise

SAMe is a great idea, but certain brands are causing GI problems

Consider Now Foods (Illinois) and Pure Encapsulation (Massachussetts), or other US brands

EDIT: Would also add 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily

I was an adderall user for about 10 years. Decided to quit cold turkey. Was the roughest thing I ever went through, I was actually very lucky that I didn't have a job at the time because I would not have been able to do it at all. Felt like there was concrete in my veins, existing became painful, sharp bouts of anxiety and depression.

Stay strong fren, it took me a full month to get over the extreme withdrawls. 3 months for me to feel mostly normal, and 6 months to feel 99% there.

It's slow, it's terrible but it's very worth it. These medications imo are designed to have terrible withdrawls to make life long patients.

Hello. There are really great suggestions on your post for your healing, and I'd like to add some ideas. I don't really post much here anymore, but I am passionate about health, and I have a special place in my heart for veterans. Thank you for your service, btw, and great job on taking this leap to heal yourself. I apologize for my lengthy comment; however, it is very worth reading.

You could incorporate Brazil nuts into your diet. Brazil nuts have a special selenium that is only found in them, and you only need 2 per day to help balance out your hormones to improve your brain health. I would also highly suggest modifying your diet to one that is all organic, non-gmo, and as natural/local as possible. Your brain is healing. Many have suggested a lot of good vitamins to take, but you need to avoid inflammation in your body and promote healing of your brain along with balance of your brain chemistry. I suggest eating lots of eggs (local are best), at least 4 daily. Eggs have the highest concentrations of healthy choline for brain healing and cholesterols for healing. Another healthy food to incorporate would be organic, grass fed beef liver. Onions have the highest source of quercetin in it, so beef liver and onions are really good for you. Avoid things with phytoestrogens, such as soy. Also, avoid seed oils and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils except for a really good source of 100% pure olive oil that you eat cold (as in on a salad, don't heat it). Coconut oils are good, butter, beef tallow, ghee for cooking fats/oils are the only oils you should consume that you heat. Coconut butter or manna is great for brain healing, as it is filled with ketones that directly feed your brain.

A few other supplements I'd like to suggest would be GABA, high levels of vitamin D, and high levels of vitamin C in addition to all the B vitamins (thiamine is very important) and B complex, magnesium, as suggested by others here. Spirulina, chlorella are great super foods and are also strong detox foods as well. Your body is detoxing, so support for your liver is important. Dandelion tea, milk thistle, celery, and cilantro are great for binding any toxins, as well as activated charcoal.

Goat or sheep milk, cheese, and yogurt have the smallest levels of fat in all foods (even smaller than coconut's medium chain triglycerides), and this will help in your overall feeling normal again. It is also antiviral. May I suggest the following diet plan example:

Before breakfast: good spring or filtered water, heated, with fresh lemon squeezed in it. Keep drinking until you poop. Wait at least thirty minutes after drinking your water to eat breakfast.

Breakfast: 4 eggs with 1 oz of goat cheese, seasoned with salt, quinoa, 2 brazil nuts, and fresh orange juice; avoid black pepper for now. Organic tomato ketchup is okay if you can do nightshades, but if you have any type of inflammatory response to certain foods, avoid these foods for now while your brain is healing/detoxing.

Lunch: Sardine bowl with quinoa, white onions, furikake with salmon flakes or some other kind of seaweed topping of your choice that normally contains black or white sesame seeds. You can use light, organic Tamari soy sauce and rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar lightly on the quinoa to add more flavor.

Dinner: Beef stew made with organic vegetables of your choice, seasoned with fresh thyme, rosemary, turmeric, oregano, and Thai chili. Add a can of coconut cream, use chicken bone broth as the base. It's pretty yummy if you do it right. Eat the stew with quinoa.

Snacks: 1-2T of coconut manna Celery with 1T almond butter (Celery eaten by itself is best, 2 stalks per day is a great detoxer) Real apple =) with macadamia nuts

Salads are great, fruit smoothies are great too. Avocados are amazing. Just be sure pesticide free and non-GMO for your fruits and veggies.

Aim to drink AT LEAST half a gallon of water (spring, well, or really well-filtered water) per day in between meals (a gallon is better). I recommend turning most of your water into red clover tea, which is a great detox drink that is pleasant, light, and blood cleansing. It will also help to regulate your hormones and keep your organs clean. Fresh, local honey and lemon are not necessary for the tea, but if you like something sweet, nothing beats real local honey. Passion fruit tea and extract are really great for calming the nerves, and this may assist you in your healing.

Additionally, another healing diet that personally helped me with chronic concerns similar to yours was the Whole 30 diet. It's an elimination diet that is actually pretty freeing, because you discover if you have any food sensitivities.

The following book, Conquering Any Disease by Jeff Primack, is really helpful. I suggest every home own a copy.

Carbon60 (C60) from SES Research is probably also going to be huge in fixing your brain. It is amazing for your body and repairing your DNA. Lifewave patches are great too, specifically X39 and X49, glutathione.

I recommend you check out Dr. Mercola for some health suggestions (mercola.com), Dr. Judy Mikovits (therealdrjudy.com), Dr. Bryan Ardis (thedrardisshow.com). I really like Dr. Ardis for basic health education; he really keeps it simple, while covering all the studies that are hidden. His information on the wrongs of cholesterol meds, for example, is really good. Dr. Ed Group makes some really good supplements, like his nascent iodine is really great. His website is globalhealing.com, and he has some great health education as well.

Finally, prayer helps to heal. Fasting also helps; that is why Yeshua the Christ recommend prayer and fasting. God bless you in your journey to good health.

Heavenly Father, please surround OP with your healing love and light. Bless OP's journey to wellness and balance, and please give him relief from all the pain he has been burdened with Father. Let OP seek refuge in you, and please strengthen his heart, soul, and mind to overcome any dis-ease in his body, soul, heart, or mind. Remove and protect any attacks from any spiritual demons or toxic barriers in his environment that may be affecting his health. Surround him with good, non-toxic God-fearing people who can encourage him along his journey to wellness. Thank you for his healing and please let his journey into good health be one that is filled with good learning and sharing to other veterans, heroes, and victims who suffer with PTSD and chronic pain. I pray this in your Son's holy name, Yeshua the Christ. Amen.

Take the best of care of yourself. Don't listen to any negative thoughts or any thoughts that are not from God's love and light, even if they sound like you. It is not you. The devil can infiltrate your brain in many ways, especially in today's age of biochemical, biomedical, and psychological warfare.
Wishing you the best year of healing and an amazing health journey. Keep us posted. God bless you and be with you, now and always. -PM17

P. S. If you have any mercury amalgam fillings (silver fillings), you need to get them removed asap. This is probably contributing to your brain issues. The phrase, "mad as a hatter" was because of their constant exposure to mercury. When you have mercury amalgam fillings and you chew with them, you are constantly being exposed to mercury.

A lot of people also have brain health issues due to mold exposure, and most homes in the US/building in the US, have some mold in it. I'd start with the above suggestions, and listen to your body. Pray. Be in the community. Rest when you need to. Get sunshine. Avoid toxins on the body (like sunscreen and bad healthcare products containing heavy metals). Meditate. Be in nature (forests, oceans, streams for negative ions). Avoid your cell phone and WiFi/EMFs for overall health and healing; take steps to mitigate EMFs.

Thanking God you found this out, fren. So sorry you were taking that junk for so many years, but it's understandable after going through what you had. I'm just grateful you are now free of it and don't even want it any more. Praying for your symptoms to be light and to abate swiftly and for a much healthier life. Thanks for sharing your story.

People react differently to stuff. Experiment on yourself. D8 and lugols iodine gave me my life back.

Surely your doc would send you an order for a few pills to pickup at a local pharmacy. It's not like narcotics where they are strict w/ them. I would not go cold turkey even if you're feeling better, it takes the brain a while to adjust to not having that pill. Ween slowly over a few months, maybe even half a year or a year.

Once you have time to go down the rabbit hole, look into t Ghondi. I know two people with anxiety, depression that after doing a cleanse, gave them (as they describe) relief.

I am sure you have seen some thing but you are strong and you can do this!

Vitamin D is also used for depression. Alaskans take it just because ... six months of no light causes depression too.

Hang in there. 🙏🙏🙏