EFR 684: Empowering Your Mental Health - A Guide to Safe Deprescribing with Dr. Mark Horowitz

Today we are joined by Dr. Mark Horowitz, a clinical research fellow in psychiatry and Co-Founder of Outro Health, an online clinic providing specialized support for those who want to safely stop using psychiatric drugs. Join us as we explore the deprescribing movement and discuss how to take charge of your mental health by making informed decisions with your healthcare providers. With Dr. Horowitz's expertise and personal experience, you'll learn about the benefits of deprescribing and gain valuable insights on how to feel empowered throughout your mental health journey. Tune in now to start your journey towards a happier, healthier you!

Key Highlights

• “A part of medicine, not just psychiatry, should be using medications or interventions such that the benefits outweigh the harms, and if that changes, then the medication should be stopped,” Mark says. 
• Most people (even doctors) have been told and believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. If you believe that, why would you stop a medication? Mark shares his research on depression and serotonin, and tells us why mental illness is not all about the chemicals in our brain, but about our lives as a whole. 
• 95% of studies on drugs are funded by the manufacturers of those drugs. “They clearly have an interest in studies that show when to start drugs and much less of an interest in when to stop drugs,” Mark says.
• How much of this is in our control as patients? How do we make sure we’re receiving the best care from our healthcare providers? Tune in to hear Mark’s candid answers!
• Surprisingly, the place Mark received the most useful advice on safely stopping/weaning off antidepressants was peer support websites. That was a big reason why Outro is inspired by peer support.
• Chase and Mark share tips and insights on how to better understand your mental health so you can be more educated, informed, and empowered to make decisions with your healthcare providers.

Episode resources:

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• Watch and subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/09L_bumatDk 
• Learn more about Outro
• Sexuality and Mental Health