Psychiatrized

Waking Up After a Decade of Bad Medicine

By: Renee A. Schuls-Jacobson

Narrated by: Renee A. Schuls-Jacobson

When a trusted physician tells Renée Schuls-Jacobson that he has the solution for her chronic insomnia - a “tried and true medication without any side effects", she believes him. For seven years, she takes her clonazepam exactly as prescribed until, one day, she learns that her doctor is wrong: Long-term benzodiazepine use causes all kinds of problems including profound changes in brain function.

With the help of an addiction specialist, Renée embarks on a slow, medically supervised taper, only to find herself cognitively scrambled and stuck in the nightmare of benzodiazepine withdrawal.

While healing from an iatrogenic brain injury that is not widely recognized by doctors, Renée leaves everything familiar behind and goes on a journey, meeting scientists and sages, healers and hucksters, who all teach her the same hard lesson: to stop seeking the help of experts and to trust her intuition.

In Psychiatrized: Waking Up After a Decade of Bad Medicine, Renée Schuls-Jacobson contemplates the cost of compliance and exposes the truth about the dangers of psychiatric drugs as well as a discontinuation syndrome, which affects thousands of men and women worldwide.

©2021 Renee A. Schuls-Jacobson (P)2021 Scott W Fitzgerald

I feel validated!

I related so much to Renee's story and to being misdiagnosed for bipolar disorder after taking a quiz. I took a quiz and was quickly diagnosed bipolar given a heavy dose of meds and rushed out the door! I was still depressed and gained 20 pounds, weight gain was a side effect of the medication I was given. I wasn't asked what my history of trauma was, I wasn't asked what my lifestyle was like. This experience started a long journey of being a guinea pig at various doctor's offices (general practice, psychiatrist and gynecologist) and switching medications to find the right "cocktail." When Renee listed off all the medications she'd been prescribed I wrote my own list and came up with TWENTY different medications I had been prescribed over the years, one to help me sleep, one for depression, one for anxiety, even one to "help" with feeling angry! This list didn't include the other medications I was given to "help" the side effects these meds were causing (headaches, stomach pains, brain fog, female issues.) Every thing I was experiencing was normal but I wasn't told this, instead I was given pills. I would become frustrated and ask if I had to be on medication the rest of my life and the answer was always "yes!" Doctors do not know how to get people off these meds, they are also not fully aware of all the other problems they cause - because there are so many and can be different for everyone! Every time I tried to stop taking medication I was met with symptoms that made me feel it was IMPOSSIBLE to stop taking them. Little did I know I was experiencing withdrawal, I thought there was something wrong with me. Finally I got fed up with doctor's opinions and started doing my own research. I realized these medications were making me worse. I took my health into my own hands! I SLOWLY weened myself off all my meds (one at a time) and have been 100% prescription medication free for 5 months now. I no longer trust doctors. The prescription meds only covered up the root issues and caused more. Renee's story made me feel validated in a society that thinks a pill is the cure.

This book is a MUST READ and an EYE OPENER!

I listened to this book a couple of times and even spoke a little bit with Renee. Four years ago I was quickly (5days) tapered off benzos in a treatment center and my life has been drastically changed ever since. I've been so unbelievably traumatized and disabled from these medications, and from the lack of experience medical professionals have when dealing with patients coming off of it. I was treated so horribly and wouldn't wish my experience on anyone. For the last four years, I've been trying to act like nothing happened to me, just stuffing it all in and trying to move on with life even though I STILL have a hard time functioning normal. I've been trying (and failing) to act like I'm just fine, because everyone invalidated my entire experience and the pain I've been dealing with. It wasn't until stumbling upon Renee's book that I really, truly felt heard, seen, and VALIDATED. It has been a game changer for me. I've had my parents and family members listen to clips of the book, and I've explained the information I've learned and it has really helped with my healing process. Eventually I hope to speak with Renee about my story, but my anxiety is still very high right now. But thank you so much for sharing your story with the world Renee. I'm not very good with words and still have a hard time expressing myself BUT I know this book will change lives because it has changed mine and I now know I was never alone in any of this. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone! Even if you have never taken benzos, it's worth being aware of the dangers of these meds!

Thanks

I feel validated. It is a Must read for all who can't explain their symptoms and for those who care about them. I want to know more how to help myself and others. Pick the pieces that help you because , like life, benzo journeys are all different.

Emotional. Satisfying. Inspirational.

Whow! What a journey! And who knew the adverse effects of these legal drugs. The authors struggles were real. And sad. What a strength and perseverance. To tell this story is unselfish and it will inspire others to get and know, it’s totally possible to regain a life. A fulfilled life.

Fantastic book!

This book is about a topic hardly ever discussed that few doctors know about, and most people can’t conceive of. It’s told with honesty, bravery, a hint of mysticism and (surprisingly) gratitude even after going through something so hellish. Renee is pure warmth and intelligence. She knows how to tell this story in a way that makes it more palatable for those who are yet to embark on her journey but know they have to. This book gave me hope. Thank you Renee!

It's a Rollercoaster ride

Raw, Riveting, Honest and accurate
The author takes us on her journey of loss and love. Her experiences ring true. She found purpose and meaning from her life experience. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is difficult.

Self-Absorbed

Renee, kudos on accomplishing this needed alarm on benzodiazepines. You strike me as an intelligent person, as you were apt to point out in your book, so I find it stretching rational thought that you did not research the drug’s prescribed to you in this Information Age. Your ex-husband is a medical doctor who you claimed was ignorant of the harm they may cause. I don’t know if that a commentary on you or our medical professionals! I found most of your book hard to relate to because of your self absorption. Personally, dealing with addictions, I have found self-centeredness to be the root cause of my illness. I never heard you become accountable to someone (in other words to answer to someone else), give of yourself to help others (although it sounds you might be doing that now 👍), or question how you played a role in this problem. I’m sure you are an attractive woman on the outside but to call that to attention several times in the book leads me to believe a bankruptcy of beauty within. I usually don’t write reviews when I don’t agree with the author because I know how much I don’t know and there is always a different way of seeing things. However toward the end you mentioned “that if you don’t speak up for something, you are complicit.” I wish you peace Renee and thanks again for bringing it to the public’s attention but it is time to give the throne back to the rightful Owner.