16. Medicating Children, Antidepressant Withdrawal and Happiness

What if the side effects they warned you about were just the tip of the iceberg?In this bold and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Brooke Siem, chef, "Chopped" champion, and author of the award-winning memoir May Cause Side Effects, to talk about what happens after 15 years on psychiatric medication... and what it takes to reclaim your life on the other side.We get into the grit: the trauma of antidepressant withdrawal, the complexities of medicating kids, and the power of naming your rage instead of numbing it. Brooke shares how healing doesn’t come from one magical moment, but from choosing presence, pattern recognition, and saying yes to life again and again.If you’ve ever questioned the meds, the system, or what real happiness actually looks like—this one’s for you.📕 Grab Brooke’s Book “May Cause Side Effects”💻 Check out Brooke’s website: www.brookesiem.com📱 Subscribe to “Happiness Is A Skill” Substack💌 Get in touch with Brooke on Instagram: @brookesiem---------------------If you're interested in my recommended sensory swing, visit outree.com and get a 24% discount with my code: MHM---------------------Reach out to me on Instagram @andrea.clark.mftFollow @truthaboutmentalhealthpodcast on InstagramFollow @truthaboutmentalhealth on TikTok