One of the most challenging aspects of my work is witnessing the judgments and stigma my brave, heroic clients face. What they endure is rampant. And I get the snide remarks too. It is not at all unusual for someone to casually ask me, “How is your work with the addicts going?” or “Those mental people online…” The ignorance is exasperating so, as you can imagine, whoever dares to say anything quickly receives an earful.
Judging and labelling are not acceptable…
It doesn’t matter why the drug was prescribed, and I’m certainly not saying that anyone with pre-existing anxiety, depression, or insomnia should be labelled or stigmatized. What I want readers to understand – especially those who feel it is okay to judge or invalidate others – is that many people were prescribed these drugs for medical issues like back pain, neurological conditions (as I was for dystonia), or other health concerns, without any prior history of psychological problems. Actually, many people are given these drugs when what they are dealing with is difficult to diagnose. Furthermore, they took the medication as directed and, in many cases, were the ones who asked to stop taking it. And yet, they experience the same withdrawal symptoms as someone with a pre-existing psychological diagnosis. Conversely, there are people who have had a history of addiction who come off these drugs with few or no problems.
Regardless of why someone was prescribed the drug, it is never acceptable to judge or label them. The people I support do not report having cravings and displayed no so-called “addict” behaviour while on the medication. It is outrageous that they are referred to as substance misusers or abusers, when nothing could be further from the truth. And to be clear, it’s not okay to judge or label people with pre-existing challenges or those who take these drugs recreationally, either.
What you are experiencing is healing in action…
If this is something you’ve faced, please know that these judgements are not a reflection of you. You took medication and the receptors involved became downregulated, adapting to the presence of the drug by reducing their sensitivity. Even now that you are no longer taking the drug, it will take time for the changes to be reversed and during this period, withdrawal symptoms can persist. Your body is healing, working to restore balance – trying to regain and maintain homeostatic equilibrium.
Many people who judge others do so without understanding the science behind these medications. Ironically, some of the worst critics may even consume alcohol, which affects the same GABA receptors as benzodiazepines, just different subunits. Others may be unknowingly experiencing tolerance withdrawal from these same drugs but fail to recognize the parallels.
Not for the faint of heart…
I often tell my clients not to internalise the judgment or feel invalidated by others’ ignorance. This experience is not for the faint of heart. The people with the loudest opinions on what you should do would call an ambulance if they experienced even five minutes of what you endure daily. The pain and other symptoms experienced are extremely severe and unless someone experiences them, the extent to which they are disabling will be unfathomable.
This healing process does not discriminate. Over the years I have supported a significant number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. They are often in a state of shock and disbelief… devastated by what they are experiencing. They truly did not believe it was possible to feel as ill as they do. Yes, the unbelievability factor still exists. How can coming off a prescribed drug result in such overwhelming dysfunction and devastation?
The reality is that you are a strong, determined, courageous person who has decided to not give up on healing and will endure whatever unfolds. Anyone who goes through this, and some who witness the struggles of loved ones going through this, will understand.
So, don’t lose heart and as much as you can, don’t let the opinion of others make you doubt your ability to heal. In time, you will get better, and the symptoms will go. Don’t let anyone’s judgement, ignorance, or lack of awareness make you feel ashamed. You are not alone. What you’re going through is part of a complex recovery process and it requires guts and gumption to cope. You are doing well. Hold your head high and know that you have the strength and determination to heal. Your track record proves it.
With much compassion,
