ashto: any recommendations for a non-pharma obsessed psychiatrist ideally in Melbourne, Australia or otherwise anywhere in Australia?

[ashto]

It is 21 months since I ceased lexapro after 29 years use following post partum depression and am currently tapering off Diazepam and Temazepam. I was starting to see some windows some 14 months after the cessation of lexapro but strangely and distressingly after 17 months went backwards with virtually no windows and numerous symptoms since including symptoms of Akathisia. I am seeing a superb psychiatrist via zoom in Brisbane who I can recommend if required  who considers my situation as protracted withdrawal however I have also recently seen  psychiatrists at the 1 centre in Melbourne  recently who disbelieve this diagnosis and consider it agitated depression considering my worsening situation after 17 months off  lexapro and are recommending commencing an anti-depressant. From all my investigations, I believe my situation is withdrawal (from lexapro and/or the benzo's) as I have many of the reported symptoms (I have tapered down to 1.25 mg and 10 mgs temazepam daily currently for 7 months now). I am starting to question the diagnosis of withdrawal now and would like a 2nd opinion from a non-pharma obsessed psychiatrist before I consider an anti-depressant. Can anyone recommend one  ideally in Melbourne, Australia or otherwise anywhere in Australia? Many thanks

Edited January 2 by Emonda
Name to title

[Onmyway]

Hi @ashto

Welcome to SA. Can you please create a drug signature so we can help you better? Instructions should be in the email the you received when you registered for the site. 

 

I don't know of a psychiatrist to recommend but the worsening of the symptoms makes complete sense. You started tapering two more drugs while not recovered from the lexapro taper.  Your nervous system needs a break.  If you keep pushing it further you risk more severe symptoms. 

 

What do you expect going on another antidepressant would achieve if this is not withdrawal.  ADs are no better than placebo on average for treating depression. 

 

Once you fill in your drug signature we can help more.  

 

You have two psychiatrists that disagree what specifically do you want the third one to tell you? Will you trust that one more? Why? 

 

 

Edited January 2 by Onmyway

[LotusRising]

16 hours ago, ashto said:

currently tapering off Diazepam and Temazepam.

 

Which benzo are you tapering first and how quickly are you doing this?

 

How long after stopping lexapro did you start your benzo taper? Did you wait for your body to stabilize prior to starting the benzo taper?

 

You could try looking through this link for doctors:

 

 

As already mentioned, it would be helpful if you could create a signature. See How to Create a Signature.