*Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs*

This 40-page guide gathers the best information we've come across and the most valuable lessons we've learned about reducing and coming off psychiatric medication. Includes information on mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, risks, benefits, wellness tools, withdrawal, support for people staying on their
medications, a detailed Resource section, and much more.

The guide was written by Freedom Center co-founder and Icarus Project staff Will Hall, with a 14-member health professional Advisory Board comprised of medical doctors, nurses, psychologists and acupuncturists
providing research guidance. More than 20 other collaborators from the survivor movement were involved in developing and editing. The guide has photographs and art throughout, and a beautiful original cover painting
by Ashley McNamara.

Based in "harm reduction" philosophy, the guide emphasizes personal choice and weighing risks and benefits for each individual. It offers non-judgmental support to people continuing to take medication or lowering their dosage, as well as people exploring coming off. The risks associated with psychiatric medication are discussed along with risks of emotional distress and mental health crisis. Years of advocacy at the Freedom Center and Icarus Project have proven the effectiveness of this approach, which is neither pro-medication nor anti-medication, but
instead provides accurate information and offers choices and alternatives.

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
While not co-authors, these health care professionals advised the development of this guide and reviewed it for its usefulness:

Alexander Bingham, PsyD Full Spectrum
Patrick Bracken, MD University of Central Lancashire
David Cohen, PhD
Daniel Fisher, MD National Empowerment Center
Peter Lehmann
Bruce Levine, PhD
Bradley Lewis, MD New York University
Rufus May, PhD Bradford, UK
Renee Mendez, RN Windhorse Associates
Joanna Moncrieff, MD University College London
Matthew Morrissey, MA Full Spectrum
Catherine Penney, RN
Maxine Radcliffe, RN Action Medics
Judith Schreiber, LCSW Soteria Associates
Claudia Sperber Licensed Acupuncturist
Peter Stastny, MD INTAR
Philip Thomas, MD University of Bradford
Barbara Weinberg Licensed Acupuncturist

CREDITS
Thanks again to everyone involved in making this guide happen, and be on the lookout for upcoming publications!

Written by Will Hall.
Published by the Icarus Project and the Freedom Center.
Thanks to Amy Bookbinder, Dave Burns, Oryx Cohen, Mary Kate Connor, Marc Dinacola, Dianne Dragon, Sascha DuBrul, Empties, Vikki Gilbert, Chaya Grossberg, Richard Gilluly, Molly
Hardison, Gail Hornstein, Mollie Hurter, Jonah, Krista MacKinnon, Ashley McNamara, Alex Samets, Seven, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Jessica Max Stein, Terramuggus, and many other collaborators
and allies.

Cover art: Ashley McNamara. Art design: Carrie Bergman.
Contributing artists: Fly, Gheena, Miss Led, Ashley McNamara, Erik Ruin, Janice Sorensen, and Bec Young.
You may also wish to read:
theroadback albeit please consult with your physician before taking any major steps on your own.
Information supplied on Depression Forums should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for medical advice from a health professional or doctor.
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