In this episode, and the final episode in our series on mental wellness, Brooke interviews Elena about her very personal journey off anti-depressant medication after over 15 years. Elena was adopted from Siberia at age 8, and brought to Canada by a single mother who raised her and gave her a new chance at life. When she hit her teen years, Elena struggled to adapt to a new culture and way of life, and was working her way through intense therapy for the psychological distress she had experienced as a child. When she hit adulthood, she decided to start taking SSRI’s for her anxiety and PTSD. Little did she know at the time that a medical plan that was intended to be temporary, would become a daily routine for her that lasted over 15 years.
In this episode Elena gets real about her journey, what made her decide to wean off her medication, her tips and advice for others who are considering going ON anti-depressants, as well as for those who want to get off of them with the help of their medical professionals. Elena shows what is possible once you put your mind to something, and how trauma – even after SCI – can be overcome and integrated with the right tools and insights.
This episode is sponsored by Robyn Wishart of Wishart Brain and Spine Law, the official legal advocate of WAGS of SCI. To learn more about what Robyn does for our community and how she can help you, visit our website here
This episode is also sponsored by Rolling In Paradise Sales, a WAG/Quad owned business specializing in adaptive equipment of all kinds including everyday wheelchairs, sport wheelchairs, off-road mobility, shower chairs, lifts and accessories! They are also a VA Approved business. Support your local WAG of SCI and visit John and Annalisa via their website HERE today!