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We have invited people to share their stories in the hope that our personal testimonies will increase understanding, prevent further tragedies and make the world safer from prescription drug harm. 

Increasing awareness could prevent thousands of people around the world from taking their lives and millions from the agony caused by an adverse drug reaction.​

We know of many people  who go on to make a full recovery once they realise that their medication is causing them to want to harm themselves.

 

This page is for anyone to share their stories and is split into three sections: 

If you would like to submit your own story, you can find more information here.

Stolen Lives

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LUCETTE

Lucette suffered poydrugging, ECT and psychosurgery under the UK psychiatric system

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CAEL

A mix of psychiatric drugs had devastating adverse effects and caused Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SAFA

Safa experienced polypharmacy leading to several hospitalizations

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LUKE

Luke developed emotional blunting and protracted withdrawal after coming off medication

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

BARBARA

Barbara had horrendous withdrawal symptoms while tapering off an antidepressant she was taking for 27 years

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CARLTON

Carlton has PSSD from taking antidepressants for IBS as a teenager

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

ROY

Roy had an extreme reaction to citalopram and is suffering 16 years later

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

MARKUS

Markus became suicidal after his doctor changed his dose of Seroxat. He now has long term sexual dysfunction

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SUSAN

Susan developed suicidal thoughts and akathisia after being prescribed an SSRI for sleep

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SEAN

Sean became acutely suicidal and had akathisia when coming off escitalopram

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

STUART

Stuart had akathisia and is still suffering withdrawal effects trying to come off duloxetine

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

REBEKKAH

Rebekkah became suicidal from sertraline

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

DARIUS

Darius became intensely suicidal after withdrawing off antidepressants

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CHRISTINE

Christine still suffers side effects from Seroxat after withdrawing

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

EILEEN

Eileen became psychotic from antidepressants

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

DANIEL

Daniel lives with acute neurological injury caused by antidepressants and benzodiazepines

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LINDSAY

After missing a few doses of Citalopram Lindsay experienced severe drug withdrawal

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CARRIE

Carrie was prescribed 11 different psychiatric medications over a period of 20 years

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

VLADIMIR

Vladimir was given a cocktail of prescription drugs available in Russia that made his life worse

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LAURA

Laura was polydrugged after a tricyclic antidepressant was prescribed ‘off-label’ for pain, she attempted suicide

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

DARYL

Daryl has permanent sexual dysfunction as a result of antidepressants and antipsychotics

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

PHILLIP

Phillip is suffering severe side effects 18 months after coming off a cocktail of drugs prescribed since childhood

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

RICHARD

Richard had a severe reaction to mirtazapine leading to suicidal thoughts and akathisia

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JULIE

Julie was given mirtazapine for tinnitus and became suicidal and developed akathisia

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

GRACE

Grace became suicidal and tried to hang herself after being given a number of antidepressants

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

KURT

Kurt served 24 years for killing his father after taking Prozac

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

BOB

Bob had thoughts of harming others when withdrawing from Seroxat

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

WENDY

Wendy is still suffering from antidepressant withdrawal

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LORITA

Lorita tried kill her children after taking a cocktail of medications

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

DANNY

Danny suffered psychosis from Seroxat and was given more drugs

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CHRIS

Chris was forced to undergo ECT and spent nearly 20 years on psychiatric medications

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JENN

Jenn was emotionally numb for over 20 years from Celexa and Lexapro and had terrifying symptoms during drug withdrawal

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JADE

Jade was misdiagnosed, polydrugged and developed severe akathisia

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JOAN

Joan became suicidal from sertraline

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JENNIFER

Jennifer became suicidal and bed bound from taking Paxil (Seroxat)

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SAMUEL

Samuel was polydrugged after a prescription of a benzodiazepine that left him suicidal
.

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

BETH

Beth became suicidal when her doctor increased her dose of Cipralex. She also suffered akathisia

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JOAN

Joan tried to end her life after a severe adverse reaction to sertraline

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SARAH

Sarah became acutely suicidal and had akathisia from sertraline

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

ANGELA

Angela had her life destroyed by a cocktail of drugs for PTSD

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

ELI

Eli suffered from serotonin syndrome after one dose of Lamictal and also has suicidal ideation

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SUE

Sue lost 17 years to antidepressants and antipsychotics

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

NIKKI

Nikki's had an adverse drug reaction to antipsychotics

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

LEE

36 year old Lee's life is being stolen by antipsychotics

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

CAROL

Carol became manic after taking Seroxat for MS

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

DEB

Deb's life imploded after starting Prozac during pregnancy

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SARA

Sara endures catastrophic injury symptoms from SSRIs following a medical misdiagnosis and subsequent polydrugging

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

ALEX

Alex was ploydrugged and developed severe akathisia

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

EMMA

Emma is suffering withdrawal effects from lorazepam and antidepressants

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

REBEKAH

Rebekah has PSSD after being prescribed antidepressants as a teenager

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

GREET

Greet had an extreme adverse reaction to lexapro and Cymbalta and she ended up in hospital. She is still recovering

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

PATRICK

Patrick suffered suicidal ideation after taking Prozac

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

SALLY

Sally's life has been ruined because of Lexapro (citalopram)

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

PHILLlPA

Phillipa became homicidal and suicidal when withdrawing from Effexor

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

TARA

Tara became psychotic and suicidal days after taking sertraline

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

PAM

Pam shot herself after taking Seroxat

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

VIOLET

Violet became suicidal from Prozac which began a long journey of being polydrugged

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

STUART

Stuart became suicidal from taking citalopram and couldn't work for 2 years when he was withdrawing from antidepressants

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

JENNY

Jenny became suicidal from antidepressant and lost a further 10 years of her life because it wasn't recognised

Daryl suffered long term effects from antidepressants

ANGELA

Angela tried to jump out of a window 15 days after taking citalopram

Click on the images below to read more.

Harmed

Larissa died by suicide age 44 disconnected from the people she loved

LARISSA

Larissa died by suicide age 44 disconnected from the people she loved

Peter died by suicide after taking Fluoxetine

PETER

Peter died by suicide after taking Fluoxetine

Sam took his life 7 days after taking citalopram

SAM

Sam took his life 7 days after taking citalopram

Merlin took his life after taking Prozac

MERLIN

Merlin took his life after taking Prozac

Rebecca killed herself after taking antidepressants

REBECCA

Rebecca killed herself after taking antidepressants

David took his  life due to long term effects of sertraline

DAVID

David took his life due to long term effects of sertraline

Charlie suffered intolerable akathisia and took his own life

CHARLIE

Charlie suffered intolerable akathisia and took his own life

17 year old Reece killed himself 7 days after taking sertraline

REECE

17 year old Reece killed himself 7 days after taking sertraline

John David became suicidal from antidepressant withdrawal

JOHN DAVID

John David became suicidal from antidepressant withdrawal

57 year old Stewart killed himself 6 days after taking Seroxat

STEWART

57 year old Stewart killed himself 6 days after taking Seroxat

Tessara and Samantha's dad stabbed them after taking Prozac

DAVID

Tessara and Samantha's dad stabbed them after taking Prozac

Bill ended his life while attempting to withdraw from Effexor

BILL

Bill ended his life while attempting to withdraw from Effexor

Eric ended his life four days after starting gabapentin

ERIC

Eric ended his life four days after starting gabapentin

Olly took his life 4 days after taking citalopram

OLLY

Olly took his life 4 days after taking citalopram

Romain took his life after taking paroxetine

ROMAIN

Romain took his life after taking paroxetine

John killed himself after taking citalopram

JOHN

John killed himself after taking citalopram

Jordan killed himself after suffering genital numbness

JORDAN

Jordan killed himself after suffering genital numbness

Shane killed himself and another man after taking citalopram

SHANE

Shane killed himself and another man after taking citalopram

Jeannie died from citalopram intoxication

JEANNIE

Jeannie died from citalopram intoxication

Kata's suffered severe withdrawal coming off mirtazapine

KATA

Kata's suffered severe withdrawal coming off mirtazapine

15 year old Kevin shot himself after taking Prozac

KEVIN

15 year old Kevin shot himself after taking Prozac

Adrian killed himself 26 days after taking Seroxat

ADRIAN

Adrian killed himself 26 days after taking Seroxat

Mark was prescribed Abilify after the sudden death of his wife

MARK

Mark was prescribed Abilify after the sudden death of his wife

Liam took his life age 19  after being prescribed citalopram

LIAM

Liam took his life age 19 after being prescribed citalopram

Florian died by suicide 19 days after taking paroxetine (also sold under brand name Seroxat and Paxil)

FLORIAN

Florian died by suicide 19 days after taking paroxetine (also sold under brand name Seroxat and Paxil)

Rebecca took her life after taking mirtazapine

REBECCA

Rebecca took her life after taking mirtazapine

Melissa killed herself after being prescribed a cocktail of medications

MELISSA

Melissa killed herself after being prescribed a cocktail of medications

Jon took his own life days after taking citalopram

JON

Jon took his own life days after taking citalopram

Eline, 11,  died when a driver crashed withdrawing from Seroxat

ELINE

Eline, 11, died when a driver crashed withdrawing from Seroxat

Ian was strangled by his dad who was psychotic after taking Seroxat

IAN

Ian was strangled by his dad who was psychotic after taking Seroxat

Natalie had akathisia and serotonin syndrome after taking sertraline

NATALIE

Natalie had akathisia and serotonin syndrome after taking sertraline

Joe jumped off a balcony 5 weeks after taking escitalopram for stress

JOE

Joe jumped off a balcony 5 weeks after taking escitalopram for stress

Aaron killed himself withdrawing from venlafaxine

AARON

Aaron killed himself withdrawing from venlafaxine

London ended her life after being prescribed Prozac

LONDON

London ended her life after being prescribed Prozac

Joey Marino was polydrugged after having a severe reaction to Prozac. He decided to end his life

JOEY

Joey Marino was polydrugged after having a severe reaction to Prozac. He decided to end his life

Madisyn took her life after suffering an adverse reaction to lexapro, lorazepam and pregabalin/Lyrica

MADISYN

Madisyn took her life after suffering an adverse reaction to lexapro, lorazepam and pregabalin/Lyrica

Dr. Ed White suffered debilitating withdrawal effects and took his life

ED

Dr. Ed White suffered debilitating withdrawal effects and took his life

Stephen killed himself after taking sertraline

STEPHEN

Stephen killed himself after taking sertraline

 Olly became suicidal from a cocktail of medications

OLLY

Olly became suicidal from a cocktail of medications

23 year old Beth died by suicide 7 days after taking Seroxat

BETH

23 year old Beth died by suicide 7 days after taking Seroxat

Donald shot Deb, Alyssa and himself after taking Seroxat

DONALD

Donald shot Deb, Alyssa and himself after taking Seroxat

42 year old Tommy killed himself 9 days after taking sertraline

TOMMY

42 year old Tommy killed himself 9 days after taking sertraline

14 year old Jake killed himself after taking Prozac

JAKE

14 year old Jake killed himself after taking Prozac

12 year old Christopher Pittman killed his grandparents after taking sertraline

CHRISTOPHER

12 year old Christopher Pittman killed his grandparents after taking sertraline

Click on the images below to read more.

In Memoriam

Tomasz fully regained himself after stopping psychiatric drugs and now helps others in the process of healing and tapering off antidepressants
TOMASZ

Tomasz fully regained himself after stopping psychiatric drugs and now helps others in the process of healing and tapering off antidepressants

After seven years on medication Nelson has experienced major challenges attempting to come off the drugs
NELSON

After seven years on medication Nelson has experienced major challenges attempting to come off the drugs

Lynn has made a full recovery after weaning herself off medication over 14 months
LYNN

Lynn has made a full recovery after weaning herself off medication over 14 months

Dex gradually recovered by tapering off Lyrica and Zyprexa over five and a half years, after a decade of use
DEX

Dex gradually recovered by tapering off Lyrica and Zyprexa over five and a half years, after a decade of use

Meleah has recovered her life after years of SSRI induced alcoholism and a "bi-polar" diagnosis she now rejects
MELEAH

Meleah has recovered her life after years of SSRI induced alcoholism and a "bi-polar" diagnosis she now rejects

Katinka  has fully recovered  after becoming psychotic and suicidal from antidepressants
KATINKA

Katinka has fully recovered after becoming psychotic and suicidal from antidepressants

Helena was unnecessarily medicated and went on to experience decades of severe iatrogenic harm
HELENA

Helena was unnecessarily medicated and went on to experience decades of severe iatrogenic harm

Mark's has recovered from years of being poly drugged and has been drug free and healthy for 20 years
MARK

Mark's has recovered from years of being poly drugged and has been drug free and healthy for 20 years

Laura has fully recovered from Cymbalta withdrawal and severe akathisia
LAURA

Laura has fully recovered from Cymbalta withdrawal and severe akathisia

Cathy began recovering emotions 24 years after starting antidepressants
CATHY

Cathy began recovering emotions 24 years after starting antidepressants

William has reclaimed his health and life after years on a cocktail of medications
WILLIAM

William has reclaimed his health and life after years on a cocktail of medications

Shiloh finally emerged after 20 years on a cocktail of medications
SHILOH

Shiloh finally emerged after 20 years on a cocktail of medications

Click on the images below to read more.

Recovered

Warning

 

The most extreme reactions to antidepressants, including suicide and violence, are more common when the dosage of an antidepressant changes or when starting or discontinuing the medication. Sometimes these reactions are caused by switching from one type of antidepressant to another. Anyone considering altering the dosage of their medication or withdrawing from it should take medical advice first from a doctor or suitably qualified practitioner. Some doctors are unaware of these issues so you may need to find one who recognises the problems and can support you.

 

Although some of our contributors and team members may work as practitioners, all of the final editorial decisions related to the content of this website have been made by non-medical people and are provided for general educational purposes only. None of the information and resources on the Antidepressant Risks website or provided in any communication constitutes or should be seen as medical, mental health, counselling, clinical or professional advice of any kind. For a full copy of our disclaimer please click here.

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