Grief, Pills, and Finding the Way Back: Brooke Siem on Life After Meds

In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, I am joined by Brooke Siem, author of 'May Cause Side Effects.' Brooke shares her personal journey of being placed on antidepressants as a teenager following her father's sudden death, the side effects she experienced over 15 years, and her life-altering decision to come off the medication. Discover how Brooke navigated the challenging withdrawal process, rebuilt her mental health through practical tools and self-awareness, and now advocates for a life beyond medication. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the impact of psychiatric drugs and the strength found in med-free mental fitness.00:00 Introduction to Med Free Mental Fitness00:47 Brooke's Journey with Antidepressants02:25 The Effects and Side Effects of Medication04:11 Questioning the Medication14:07 The Turning Point: Deciding to Come Off Medication15:29 The Struggle of Withdrawal18:14 Rebuilding Life Beyond Medication31:28 Advocacy and Current Work34:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections