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Childhood Diagnoses Led to Decade of Dangerous Meds
10 Dec
Summary
- Diagnosed at seven with ADHD, Gansky was prescribed Ritalin, leading to more diagnoses.
- By college, she was on 14 daily medications, including stimulants and antidepressants.
- Withdrawal from prescribed drugs caused severe, life-altering neurological crisis.
Danielle Gansky's life took a difficult turn at age seven when she was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin. This initial diagnosis led to a cascade of further labels and medications, including anxiety, depression, and OCD. By the time she left for college, Gansky was taking 14 different medications daily.
Upon graduating in 2019, Gansky attempted to taper off her extensive medication list, but the rapid withdrawal triggered a severe, full-body neurological crisis. Experiencing intense restlessness, pain, and cognitive impairment, she described it as a 'living nightmare' and 'chemical torture' that left her bedridden.
Now 29 and still healing, Gansky is advocating for stricter medication tapering guidelines, working with organizations to push for updated FDA warnings. Her experience highlights the potential dangers of long-term psychiatric drug use and withdrawal, emphasizing the need for more cautious and individualized tapering protocols.
