“The [drugs] exist only for my mind, each orange prescription bottle a subconscious reminder that I Am Depressed and I Am Broken and I Need Fixing.” Brooke Siem returns to the podcast today to talk about her new memoir, May Cause Side Effects, and her conviction that: “It’s not my responsibility to edit my story for the sake of somebody else’s feelings.”

Brooke believes that you can recover from long-term chronic depression, and after huge trauma and grief—that your brain and your body are primed to be in a state of healing, but you have to help. We also discuss the writing and publishing process, and how she stays true to herself while discussing these sensitive and often controversial topics. If you haven’t already, you might consider listening first to episode 107: (Un)Medicating Grief—Recovering Feeling After Decades on Anti-Depressants with Brooke Siem.

More About Brooke: Brooke Siem is the author of the upcoming book, May Cause Side Effects: A Memoir, in which she reveals the messy reality of antidepressants and withdrawals. She is also an award-winning chef, Food Network “Chopped” champion, and co-author of the cookbook, Prohibition Bakery. Brooke understands first-hand how antidepressants are not the solution to combating depression; ultimately it takes deep self-work to come out on the other side of depression.

For the full backstory of her experience going on and off prescription drugs, listen first to our previous Pivot conversation: 107: (Un)Medicating Grief—Recovering Feeling After Decades on Anti-Depressants with Brooke Siem.

🌟3 Key Takeaways:

Antidepressants don't help everyone, and there's nothing wrong with you if they don’t.
Similarly, roughly 50% of people will have withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants. That’s a huge chunk of people, and it’s not a reflection on anything about you if it happens.
Stream-of-consciousness writing can unearth surprising details and memories. If you set yourself a word quota and have to meet it whether or not you’re feeling inspired or on-topic, you can come up with some surprising ideas.

📘Books Mentioned:

🔗Resources Mentioned:

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"How Can We All Make it into the Future?" - Episode #37: Sahir Erozan moderated by Melinda Stevens