From 9/11 Anxiety to Restless Leg Syndrome caused by psych med injury | The Gaslit Truth Podcast with Dr Teralyn Sell and Therapist Jenn Schmitz

Send us Fan MailNobody tells you that one “helpful” prescription can echo for decades, but that’s exactly what Martin Cranford lived. After 9-11, with aviation layoffs looming and a first baby on the way, anxiety shows up fast and an SSRI seems like the obvious answer. Years later, a new problem appears: Restless Leg Syndrome. What follows is a real-world look at how SSRI side effects, dopamine agonists like pramipexole, and the nightmare of augmentation can collide with a too-fast taper and turn a treatable symptom into a full-body crisis.We walk through what restless legs actually feels like, how it can mimic or overlap with akathisia, and why rapid medication changes can destabilize mood, sleep, and identity. Martin shares the hard parts that don’t fit neatly into a chart note: gabapentin making him feel mentally absent, repeated short hospital stays with constant med swapping, and the gut-punch of being dismissed when he asks whether withdrawal could be driving the symptoms. If you’ve ever searched “psychiatric medication withdrawal,” “gabapentin withdrawal,” “benzo taper,” or “polypharmacy,” this conversation puts lived experience to those keywords.The most hopeful part is also the most practical: what helped when the medical system stopped connecting the dots. We talk lifestyle triggers like alcohol and sugar, the role of iron and other nutrient deficiencies, and a huge missing clue from Martin’s history: prior stomach surgery and possible nutrient absorption issues that no one thought to check for decades. We also dig into dopamine’s role in reward and impulse control, including the uncomfortable truth that certain meds can spark urges like gambling or heavier drinking.If you’ve been told to “stop researching and trust us,” you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating medication side effects, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.We're recruiting for a first-of-its-kind psychiatric medication withdrawal research study. If you've experienced psychiatric medication withdrawal, you may be eligible to participate.  Email [email protected] to learn more.  Savorista Coffee is offering our listeners 25% off their premium craft decaf and half caf blends with bold flavors, ethically sourced beans, and natural decaffeination. Small-batch roasted for exceptional taste. EUse promo code GASLIT at checkout! https://savorista.com/discount/GASLIT 💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?Psych meds have harmed us—and we’re not just survivors, we’re deeply educated in psychopharmacology, psychology, and nutrition. As hosts of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, we guide people safely off psychiatric medications with strategies grounded in science and brain health🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.Support the showAre you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you!  Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected] you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.  Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes! Thanks for listening!Follow Us individually atDr. Teralyn:Instagram @Dr_TeralynFacebook  @DrTeralynTik Tok @Dr_TeralynTherapist Jenn: Instagram @TherapistJenTikTok @Jenn.Schmitz