Misdiagnosed, Medicated & Fighting Back: Ellen’s Story Ep. 32

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with Ellen Lubenski to share her story of misdiagnosis, long-term psychiatric medication use, and her ongoing journey through benzodiazepine withdrawal.Ellen was originally diagnosed with autism in childhood, but later misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder—leading to decades of treatment with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. What followed was a 25-year battle with debilitating side effects, including tardive dyskinesia, and a withdrawal process that continues to impact her daily life.In this conversation, we talk about:The reality of benzodiazepine dependency and withdrawalThe concept of informed consent in mental health careHow misdiagnosis can shape someone’s entire life trajectoryThe gaps in the system when it comes to patient education and advocacyThe importance of asking questions, exploring options, and being your own advocateThis episode is not about fear—it’s about awareness, empowerment, and giving a voice to conversations that are often kept quiet.If you or someone you love has ever been prescribed psychiatric medication, this is an important conversation to hear.Ellen's Website: https://www.ellenlubensky.com/Ellen's InstagramFollow Connected Habits Coaching online!Take the Free Meal Prep Guide