In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, I am joined by Brooke Siem, author of 'May Cause Side Effects.' Brooke shares her personal journey of being placed on antidepressants as a teenager following her father's sudden death, the side effects she experienced over 15 years, and her life-altering decision to come off the medication. Discover how Brooke navigated the challenging withdrawal process, rebuilt her mental health through practical tools and self-awareness, and now advocates for a life beyond medication. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the impact of psychiatric drugs and the strength found in med-free mental fitness.

00:00 Introduction to Med Free Mental Fitness

00:47 Brooke's Journey with Antidepressants

02:25 The Effects and Side Effects of Medication

04:11 Questioning the Medication

14:07 The Turning Point: Deciding to Come Off Medication

15:29 The Struggle of Withdrawal

18:14 Rebuilding Life Beyond Medication

31:28 Advocacy and Current Work

34:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this thought-provoking episode, host Katinka Blackford Newman sits down with Dr. Sami Timimi—consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of "Searching for Normal"—to explore the dramatic rise in psychiatric diagnoses among children.

Together, they question whether we are truly uncovering hidden illnesses or simply pathologising normal human variation, stress, and distress. Dr. Timimi shares his decades of experience inside mental health services and explains why he challenges the medical model applied to childhood. The conversation dives deep into the unintended consequences of labelling, the limitations of psychiatric diagnoses, and the risks of over-medicalising children’s emotions and behaviours.

Key topics include:

• Why rates of ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression are soaring
• The subjective nature of psychiatric diagnoses
• The impact of labels on children, families, and society
• The role of medication and its long-term effects
• Alternatives to the medical model: resilience, connection, and understanding

If you’re a parent, educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about the future of mental health, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer a fresh perspective.

🔔 If this conversation resonates, please like, subscribe, and leave a review to help these ideas reach more people!

You can watch this episode as a video on youtube

In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, hosted by Katinka Blackford Newman, we dive deep into the topic of insomnia with special guest Miranda Levy. Miranda, an accomplished journalist and author, shares her harrowing personal journey through severe insomnia following a sudden and traumatic end to her marriage in 2010. Her battle with sleep deprivation led to a prolonged and complicated relationship with various psychotropic drugs, which only exacerbated her condition. Miranda discusses the impact on her personal and professional life, including struggles with anxiety, panic, and a host of prescription medications that altered her everyday reality. Transitioning through multiple diagnoses and treatments, Miranda finally embarks on a journey towards recovery, finding solace in therapeutic approaches and rebuilding her life. Her book, 'The Insomnia Diaries: How I Learned to Sleep Again,' offers an honest and insightful look into her experiences, providing hope and practical advice for those facing similar struggles. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, the dangers of dependency on medications, and the power of perseverance.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:16 Meet Miranda Levy: A Personal Journey

01:16 The Onset of Insomnia

01:42 The Struggle with Medication

05:29 Life in Disarray

08:40 A Desperate Search for Solutions

13:32 The Impact on Family and Diagnosis

19:50 A Chemical Soup of Medications

22:21 The Decision to Enter Rehab

23:36 Experiences in Rehab

24:51 Withdrawal and Akathisia

27:37 Hospitalization and Further Treatment

30:17 Living with Family and Initial Recovery

33:21 Gradual Improvement and New Beginnings

37:08 Rebuilding Life and Relationships

42:10 Reflections and Advice on Sleep Medication

44:50 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion