What is it like to take antipsychotics?

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“I was very reluctant to use meds in my recovery, but despite their unpleasant side effects, they gave me the clarity and help I needed to climb out of the deep hole I’d fallen into.”

“The meds worked on the external stuff. But not on the internal voices.”

“Meds have helped so its calmed down a bit now.”

“I was very reluctant to use meds in my recovery, but despite their unpleasant side effects, they gave me the clarity and help I needed to climb out of the deep hole I’d fallen into.”

“The meds worked on the external stuff. But not on the internal voices.”

“Meds have helped so its calmed down a bit now.”

The experience of taking antipsychotic or any psychiatric medication varies from person to person. Some people find it helpful, particularly at times of acute crisis when experiences can feel overwhelming. Others think it less so, and find the side-effects hard to cope with.

Explore the resources below for personal reflections and experiences of taking antipsychotic medications.

WATCH

Antipsychotics: Talking about mental health

National Mind’s video featuring people talking with each other about their experiences of taking antipsychotics.

Psychosis treatment options: Medication

Two people talk about their experience of medication.

Medicating me: Personal impressions of psychiatric medicine

A mental health documentary exploring people’s encounters with psychiatric medicine.

READ

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Six things I didn't realise about taking antipsychotics

Sally Buchanen-Hagen.

Sally discusses some of the adverse effects of taking antipsychotics, but also why she keeps taking them.
 

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A moment that changed me - when I stopped hearing the voices in my head

Anonymous

The writer reflects on their fixed mixed feelings of taking medication that stopped the voices in their head.

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Me and the meds: The story of a dysfunctional relationship

Rai Waddingham
Rai explores her relationship with medication – how she was introduced to it, the role it played in her life and her eventual withdrawal from it.

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Has psychotic medication made me worse?

Female, Twenty Something, Schizophrenic
A blog post by someone describing their experience of medication after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

NEXT: HOW MIGHT ANTIPSYCHOTICS HELP WITH VOICES?
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