Gaslit Into Taking My Own Medical Advice with Nicole Lamberson: A Medical Professional's Journey Through Medication Harm

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a medical professional becomes the victim of the very medications they once prescribed? Nicole Lamberson, physician assistant and medical director for the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, takes us through her harrowing journey from stressed PA student to polypharmacy casualty to powerful advocate for medication safety.Nicole's story begins with work-related anxiety during PA school that led to a prescription for Xanax. What followed was a five-year nightmare of escalating medications – six psychiatric drugs simultaneously, including multiple benzodiazepines, stimulants, and antipsychotics. As her health deteriorated, Nicole found herself unable to function, agoraphobic, and eventually suicidal. When she attempted to discontinue these medications, she encountered a medical system utterly unprepared to help patients safely taper off psychiatric drugs.The podcast explores the profound gaps in medical education around deprescribing, with Nicole revealing that her professional training included "absolutely zero" instruction on safely discontinuing medications. This knowledge vacuum creates dangerous situations where withdrawal symptoms are misdiagnosed as worsening mental illness or drug-seeking behavior. Even when patients report severe adverse effects, they're often dismissed as "outliers" or told their experiences are "rare."Through her recovery journey, Nicole became a vital voice in medication safety. She now contributes to deprescribing guidelines, works with the Withdrawal Project, distributes the documentary "Medicating Normal," and coaches individuals through psychiatric medication discontinuation. Her work balances scientific rigor with deep compassion born from lived experience.This eye-opening conversation challenges listeners to question the narratives around psychiatric medications, advocate for themselves in medical settings, and recognize that healing is possible even after severe medication harm. Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone taking psychiatric medications, or supporting a loved one through withdrawal, Nicole's wisdom offers crucial insights for navigating this complex terrain.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