Alex’s Story

After being prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) during his senior year of high school, Alex experienced a psychotic episode that landed him in the inpatient psychiatric unit. Alex was prescribed an atypical antipsychotic and spent the next decade on a debilitating mix of psychiatric drugs.

Over the course of two years in his late 20s, Alex tapered off all psychiatric drugs, which caused withdrawal effects that severely limited his ability to engage in life. As a result of his experience, Alex strives to help others recover from psychiatric medication and avoid iatrogenic harm.

Read his story in Mad in America.

Our Mission

To protect patient autonomy by educating the public, patients, and healthcare providers about antipsychotics and their risks.

Our Vision

We envision a society that prioritizes community support over medication use, so that individuals can achieve long-term remission from mental health issues.

Why It Matters

Over 6 million people in the US take antipsychotic drugs. Despite numerous studies detailing their side effects, patients are not fully informed of the risks, and many are given medication involuntarily. Antipsychotics continue to be increasingly prescribed, including as adjunct treatments to depression.

Patients who wish to discontinue antipsychotics lack adequate support, which can make it more difficult to stay off the medications, as rapid tapering increases the risk of psychosis. While these medications may provide short-term utility in certain contexts, their use in contemporary society increases negative outcomes and prevents individuals from fully recovering.

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