Laura Delano

You'll appreciate this, Dr. Drew. In the end, I was on lithium, Lamictal, Abilify, Effexor, and Ativan. Five psych drugs. And this was considered like a sophisticated regimen. I couldn't think, I couldn't.

You'll appreciate this, Dr. Drew. In the end, I was on lithium, Lamictal, Abilify, Effexor, and Ativan. Five psych drugs. And this was considered like a sophisticated regimen. I couldn't think, I couldn't.

But this is the standard of care for a bipolar diagnosis. I know, it's a miracle.

But this is the standard of care for a bipolar diagnosis. I know, it's a miracle.

Well, I had the bottom where I decided to kill myself because, you know, this life with treatment resistant mental illness wasn't worth living. And then I had my, I wouldn't call it a bottom as much as an aha moment where I realized this story of self that this future of, you know, psych wards and more and more meds and not being able to work and not being able to take care of myself, you know,

Well, I had the bottom where I decided to kill myself because, you know, this life with treatment resistant mental illness wasn't worth living. And then I had my, I wouldn't call it a bottom as much as an aha moment where I realized this story of self that this future of, you know, psych wards and more and more meds and not being able to work and not being able to take care of myself, you know,

When I began to educate myself about what we know and don't know about these drugs, I realized my gosh, what if this doesn't have to be my fate? What if this story of treatment-resistant mental illness, and that's why my life is the mess that it is, what if it's actually the treatment? And so that was really the turning point for me where I realized I have to give myself a chance here.

When I began to educate myself about what we know and don't know about these drugs, I realized my gosh, what if this doesn't have to be my fate? What if this story of treatment-resistant mental illness, and that's why my life is the mess that it is, what if it's actually the treatment? And so that was really the turning point for me where I realized I have to give myself a chance here.

I could always kill myself. I mean, that's the headspace I was in. I was like, if I try to come off these drugs and it doesn't go well, I always have that. But I knew I had to give myself a chance.

I could always kill myself. I mean, that's the headspace I was in. I was like, if I try to come off these drugs and it doesn't go well, I always have that. But I knew I had to give myself a chance.

Ironically, I totally agree. Thinking about suicide ironically kept me alive for years because it was like the one- I understand. Yeah. Yeah.

Ironically, I totally agree. Thinking about suicide ironically kept me alive for years because it was like the one- I understand. Yeah. Yeah.

I would say... What jolted me out of my psychiatrized slumber, you could say, was I did have a few experiences like what you're describing. And these experiences all had to do with the power that... a psychiatrist has to strip you of your rights. So I was forced to go into the hospital when I didn't want to go in. I actually did want to go in. I just wanted to get my belongings first.

I would say... What jolted me out of my psychiatrized slumber, you could say, was I did have a few experiences like what you're describing. And these experiences all had to do with the power that... a psychiatrist has to strip you of your rights. So I was forced to go into the hospital when I didn't want to go in. I actually did want to go in. I just wanted to get my belongings first.

And there was a whole kerfuffle with me and my psychiatrist and security guards were called and I was escorted over to the ward and given the so-called choice of going voluntarily or involuntarily. That was the first thing in me that just What is this? Like, I had known intellectually for years that people were forcibly hospitalized all the time. I had watched it happen.

And there was a whole kerfuffle with me and my psychiatrist and security guards were called and I was escorted over to the ward and given the so-called choice of going voluntarily or involuntarily. That was the first thing in me that just What is this? Like, I had known intellectually for years that people were forcibly hospitalized all the time. I had watched it happen.

But I had never imagined that I would be that person. And when it actually happened to me, it forced me up against this idea. previously unquestioning faith I had had and all of these well-meaning mental health professionals to take care of me. And I realized they also have control over me. I've given them this power over me. So that was the first of a few experiences with force and coercion.

But I had never imagined that I would be that person. And when it actually happened to me, it forced me up against this idea. previously unquestioning faith I had had and all of these well-meaning mental health professionals to take care of me. And I realized they also have control over me. I've given them this power over me. So that was the first of a few experiences with force and coercion.

And then what really was my big turning point was actually finding a book that was the equivalent of, you know, a supportive person. For me, it was a book by a journalist named Robert Whitaker.

And then what really was my big turning point was actually finding a book that was the equivalent of, you know, a supportive person. For me, it was a book by a journalist named Robert Whitaker.