Antipsychotic Withdrawal
A person is usually put on an antipsychotic when they have had a psychotic break, or when other medications fail to work. These drugs, though seemingly effective on the onset, are typically not well tolerated for long term use.
The person medicated on these drugs is usually unable to perform in life as they would like to, and find it hard to set goals, and perceive the reward in life. These side effects are deemed better than continued visits to the hospital, or loss of sleep in the case of insomnia, so the person remains on the drug.
What is happening to create this situation?
The answer is specific for each individual, but usually there is an excess of Dopamine. Dopamine is the “reward” neurochemical, and excess will make everything stimulating and can result in mania. This can be caused by neurotoxins stimulating the neurology. This can be from exposure to toxins, or often is related to a genetic issue that relates to how that person clears toxins. A poor methylator, for instance, will not be able to clear heavy metals, and will accumulate them in nerve and brain tissue. A poor diet which lacks essential nutrients like Niacin, Vitamin C, Zinc, B6, low blood sugar, preservatives and other food issues can result in psychosis in sensitive individuals. The drug is then targeted to restrict Dopamine, and then the person in left without enjoying life’s rewards.
Why does a person experience antipsychotic medication withdrawal?
When excitatory Dopamine is restricted due to the use of an antipsychotic drug, the brain changes at the synapse. The synapse is where one nerve talks to another, and Dopamine excites the impulse of the originating nerve to the next nerves receptors. When the dopamine is low due to the drug, the neurology will change, and make more Dopamine receptors. Now, the small amount of Dopamine has the same stimulating effect even in the presence of the drug. So the dosage goes up, which brings on more side effects. When the person comes off the drug, more Dopamine is allowed to be released, and is now impacting an excessive number of Dopamine receptors. They may add to that drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and eating sugar as those were the things they may have been doing for stimulation while on the drug. This can result in another hospitalization or extreme symptoms. They are usually then told that they need to be on the drug for life. This is all very discouraging. The Founder of Alternative to Meds Center has personal experience with this path.
To successfully withdrawal from these medications we use the following methods. First, we lab test for what may have caused the original issues. Often, we find toxicity to be the culprit. Whether the toxicity is the result of environment, or genetics, we then work to clear the person out. We restrict sugar, caffeine, cigarettes, and processed foods and use supplements that are known to be beneficial in these persons and supplements that will support the inhibitory aspects of the neurochemistry.
Our program is aimed at to stabilizing the neurochemistry with natural substances, detoxification from accumulated environmental neurotoxins, IV amino therapy and other targeted nutritional therapy, peer support, massage, yoga, personal exercise training and other holistic therapies address the anticipated withdrawal symptoms. Once the person begins to experience sedation and stability as a result of the therapies, the medication is then reduced slowly and adjusted if needed.
You can learn more about antipsychotic withdrawal in our article section.
What is happening to create this situation?
The answer is specific for each individual, but usually there is an excess of Dopamine. Dopamine is the “reward” neurochemical, and excess will make everything stimulating and can result in mania. This can be caused by neurotoxins stimulating the neurology. This can be from exposure to toxins, or often is related to a genetic issue that relates to how that person clears toxins. A poor methylator, for instance, will not be able to clear heavy metals, and will accumulate them in nerve and brain tissue. A poor diet which lacks essential nutrients like Niacin, Vitamin C, Zinc, B6, low blood sugar, preservatives and other food issues can result in psychosis in sensitive individuals. The drug is then targeted to restrict Dopamine, and then the person in left without enjoying life’s rewards.
Why does a person experience antipsychotic medication withdrawal?
When excitatory Dopamine is restricted due to the use of an antipsychotic drug, the brain changes at the synapse. The synapse is where one nerve talks to another, and Dopamine excites the impulse of the originating nerve to the next nerves receptors. When the dopamine is low due to the drug, the neurology will change, and make more Dopamine receptors. Now, the small amount of Dopamine has the same stimulating effect even in the presence of the drug. So the dosage goes up, which brings on more side effects. When the person comes off the drug, more Dopamine is allowed to be released, and is now impacting an excessive number of Dopamine receptors. They may add to that drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and eating sugar as those were the things they may have been doing for stimulation while on the drug. This can result in another hospitalization or extreme symptoms. They are usually then told that they need to be on the drug for life. This is all very discouraging. The Founder of Alternative to Meds Center has personal experience with this path.
To successfully withdrawal from these medications we use the following methods. First, we lab test for what may have caused the original issues. Often, we find toxicity to be the culprit. Whether the toxicity is the result of environment, or genetics, we then work to clear the person out. We restrict sugar, caffeine, cigarettes, and processed foods and use supplements that are known to be beneficial in these persons and supplements that will support the inhibitory aspects of the neurochemistry.
Our program is aimed at to stabilizing the neurochemistry with natural substances, detoxification from accumulated environmental neurotoxins, IV amino therapy and other targeted nutritional therapy, peer support, massage, yoga, personal exercise training and other holistic therapies address the anticipated withdrawal symptoms. Once the person begins to experience sedation and stability as a result of the therapies, the medication is then reduced slowly and adjusted if needed.
You can learn more about antipsychotic withdrawal in our article section.
