The Gaslit Truth Podcast

💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

Psych meds have harmed us—and we’re not just survivors, we’re deeply educated in psychopharmacology, psychology, and nutrition. As hosts of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, we guide people safely off psychiatric medications with strategies grounded in science and brain health

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
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Dr. Teralyn:

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From OCD to Polypharmacy Hell: Safa Asgari's Fight for Mental Health Truth Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Psychiatry's dark patterns know no borders. In this eye-opening conversation, Safa Asgari reveals his three-year journey through psychiatric treatment in Iran that mirrors the experiences of countless patients worldwide.
What begins as a straightforward OCD diagnosis quickly spirals into a nightmare of polypharmacy and cascading misdiagnoses. After experiencing severe side effects from Prozac, Safa finds himself labeled with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and ADHD - each new diagnosis bringing additional medications rather than recognition of adverse drug reactions. At one point, he's simultaneously taking ten different psychiatric drugs.
"Deep down I had the feeling something was wrong," Safa explains, describing moments of clarity that persisted despite heavy medication. When he questioned treatments or reported worsening symptoms, his concerns were dismissed as further evidence of mental illness. Most disturbing is how he was threatened with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) if he didn't comply with medication protocols.
Safa's testimony reveals the global nature of psychiatric gaslighting - how practitioners worldwide interpret medication side effects as new illnesses requiring more drugs, creating a harmful cycle that's nearly impossible to escape. His description of withdrawal symptoms paints a vivid picture of suffering that psychiatry continues to deny exists.
The turning point comes when Safa discovers online communities of psychiatric survivors and resources like Robert Whitaker's "Anatomy of an Epidemic." Armed with knowledge and validation, he begins trusting his own experience over the narratives imposed by doctors. Though still experiencing what he calls "asteroid-sized" symptoms compared to his original OCD, he's reclaimed his agency and understanding of his condition.
Listen to this powerful account of resilience in the face of systemic gaslighting, and consider: how many others worldwide are trapped in similar cycles without the information to understand what's happening to them?

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
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Thanks for listening!
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Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Beyond Control: Psychiatry's War on Minorities with Rev. Fred Shaw Jr. Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

What happens when psychiatric systems designed to "help" actually hurt the most vulnerable among us? Minister Fred Shaw Jr., a powerhouse advocate with decades of experience fighting for children's rights, pulls back the curtain on psychiatry's troubling relationship with minority communities.
Shaw's journey began when his own son was diagnosed with dyslexia and recommended for psychiatric intervention. Rather than accepting the prescribed path of medication, Shaw chose alternative educational approaches that ultimately helped his son overcome his reading challenges. This personal experience sparked a lifelong mission to protect children from unnecessary psychiatric labeling and drugging.
Drawing from his unique background as a former sheriff's deputy, NAACP president, and international spokesperson for the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Shaw delivers shocking insights into how mental health systems target vulnerable populations. "We don't have mental health in this country," Shaw asserts. "We have mental control." He reveals how approximately 6.1 million American children are currently on psychiatric drugs—medications that chemically resemble substances like cocaine and methamphetamine.
The conversation takes a particularly powerful turn when Shaw discusses foster care and juvenile justice systems, where children are routinely medicated as a form of management rather than receiving appropriate support for trauma. Through stories of children he's worked with directly, Shaw demonstrates how alternatives to medication—proper education, nutrition, physical activity, and believing in children's potential—can transform lives. One teen who was headed for medication and a continuation school instead went on to play football at USC and in the NFL, all because someone recognized his potential rather than pathologizing his behavior.
Shaw's message calls us to look beyond quick-fix medications and examine the root causes of suffering in marginalized communities. By addressing factors like education, economic opportunity, and community support, we can create environments where children thrive without psychiatric intervention. His powerful testimony challenges us to question a system that too often creates "patients for life" instead of empowering individuals to overcome adversity.
Ready to hear the truth about psychiatry that mainstream sources won't tell you? Listen now and join the movement to protect our most vulnerable children from unnecessary medication and labeling that follows them for life.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Mental Health in Family Court: A Safeguard or a Weapon? Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Mental health stigma becomes a weaponized battleground in divorce and custody proceedings—a reality that impacts countless families navigating the family court system. In this eye-opening conversation with family law attorney McKenna Zimmerman, we peel back the layers of how mental health diagnoses, treatment decisions, and even therapy records can dramatically alter the trajectory of a family court case.
Zimmerman reveals the hidden power dynamics at play, particularly through the role of the guardian ad litem—court-appointed attorneys who represent children's interests with remarkable investigative authority. These legal professionals can access medical records, interview therapists, and ultimately make recommendations that profoundly impact custody arrangements. What's particularly striking is how casual mental health accusations ("they're a narcissist") float through courtrooms without substantiation, while legitimate mental health concerns often remain misunderstood or oversimplified.
The conversation tackles difficult questions about domestic violence survivors facing custody battles, the risks of submitting therapy records as evidence, and the complicated territory of court-ordered treatment compliance. For those navigating this terrain, Zimmerman offers critical guidance: transparency with your legal team, proactive treatment engagement, and proper documentation of treatment decisions can make the difference between mental health being used against you or serving as evidence of your responsible parenting.
This discussion illuminates a fundamental truth often missed in family court: mental health struggles don't automatically make someone an unfit parent. What matters most is how individuals address these challenges and prioritize their children's wellbeing throughout the process. Whether you're facing a custody dispute, supporting someone through divorce, or working in the mental health field, this conversation provides essential insights into protecting families when mental health enters the courtroom.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Charlie Kirk: A Lesson in Ethics, Neutrality, and Freedom of Speech Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Freedom of speech lies at the heart of democracy, but what happens when speaking your truth is met with violence and death? The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk has revealed a disturbing trend among mental health professionals who have abandoned their ethical obligation to neutrality, celebrating the death of a human being simply because they disagreed with his political views.
Drawing from our extensive experience as therapists in the prison system, where we worked with individuals who committed heinous crimes while maintaining professional neutrality, we examine the stark contrast between proper therapeutic ethics and the shocking behavior displayed by self-proclaimed mental health professionals on social media platforms following Kirk's death. When therapists can sit with violent criminals without judgment but cannot extend the same courtesy to someone with different political beliefs, we must question what's happening to our profession.
Charlie Kirk began his career at just 19 years old, standing before thousands to debate ideas and encourage critical thinking. Whether you agreed with his message or not, his ability to articulate his views without inciting violence demonstrated his commitment to peaceful discourse. In an era where reasoned debate often gives way to personal attacks, Kirk's approach to discussion—focused on ideas rather than individuals—offers an important lesson for all of us, regardless of political affiliation.
This episode isn't about red or blue politics—it's about respecting human dignity, upholding freedom of speech, and maintaining professional ethics in an increasingly polarized world. For those who witnessed this horrific event, either in person or through media, we urge you to seek trauma support. Join us as we honor a life lost while reflecting on the critical importance of protecting our right to speak freely without fear of violent retribution.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

My Doctor Was My Dealer: A Healthcare Worker's Descent Into Benzo Dependency Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

"They told me Ativan would be a part of my life for the rest of my life. Well, they were right—but not in the way they thought it would."
Meet Luanne Wall—registered nurse with 41 years of critical care experience, wife, mother, grandmother, and survivor of benzodiazepine dependency. When pandemic stress, family illness, and mounting anxiety led her to seek help from her doctor in 2021, she received a prescription for Ativan to be taken three times daily. What followed was a descent into dependency that would affect not only her life but her daughter's and infant grandson's as well.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Luanne reveals the brutal reality of prescription benzodiazepine use that most doctors won't acknowledge. From experiencing severe interdose withdrawal despite taking the medication exactly as prescribed, to being told she "wouldn't become addicted" because she "didn't have an addictive personality," her story exposes the dangerous misconceptions perpetuated by medical professionals about these powerful drugs.
Most compelling is Luanne's refusal to distinguish between her experience and that of street drug users. "If I'm an addict, what does that make you?" she challenges her prescribing doctor. Her insight that "street dealers know they're not smarter than the drug they're dealing" while doctors believe they can outsmart these substances cuts to the heart of our broken approach to prescribed medications. After finding salvation through the Ashton Manual and completing a grueling seven-month taper, Luanne now lives with the permanent consequences of her prescribed dependency—tremors, hearing loss, and nervous system damage.
Whether you've experienced dependency yourself, know someone who has, or simply want to understand the truth about prescription drugs, this episode will transform how you view the line between medicine and addiction. Share your story with us and help break the stigma around prescribed drug dependency.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Stimulants, Schools, and the Scam You Never Saw Coming with Sheila Matthews Co-Founder AbleChild.org Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered why schools seem so quick to suggest ADHD medication for children who don't sit still? The truth behind this practice is more disturbing than most parents realize.
Sheila Matthews never expected a single school meeting about her seven-year-old son would launch her into a two-decade fight against the psychiatric labeling and drugging of children. After witnessing another mother testify before Congress about the devastating effects of school-mandated medication, Matthews made a bold decision to refuse an ADHD diagnosis for her own child. This choice led her to co-found AbleChild.org, a national nonprofit organization that has successfully pushed for legislative changes protecting parents' rights to make informed decisions about their children's mental health care.
Matthews pulls back the curtain on how ADHD diagnoses originated not from scientific discovery but from pharmaceutical marketing campaigns in the 1970s. She explains how subjective checklists created by drug companies have replaced proper medical evaluation, and how schools without medical authority pressure parents into medication pathways. Most shocking is her revelation that many children labeled with ADHD are actually gifted, creative thinkers whose natural traits are being pathologized for profit.
The conversation takes a darker turn when Matthews discusses her organization's groundbreaking work to require testing for psychiatric medications in cases of violence and mass shootings – information currently omitted from most investigations. She describes how the industry manipulates data to hide potential connections between these medications and harmful behaviors, while simultaneously promoting narratives that untreated ADHD leads to negative outcomes.
Whether you're a parent facing pressure from your child's school, an educator questioning current practices, or someone concerned about the broader implications of medicating young minds, this episode provides crucial information about alternatives to psychiatric drugs and the importance of informed consent. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that challenges everything you thought you knew about childhood behavioral disorders. Check out AbleChild.org to learn more and join the movement for transparency and true informed consent.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
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Thanks for listening!
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Therapist Jenn:

Crossing Zero: The Art & Science of Deprescribing with Anders Sorensen | The Gaslit Truth Podcast with Dr Teralyn Sell and Therapist Jenn Schmitz Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

When you've been told your brain chemistry is permanently broken, the idea of coming off psychiatric medication can feel terrifying—or even impossible. But what if everything you've been told about these drugs is based on an outdated model?
Psychologist Anders Sorensen joins us to shatter the myths surrounding psychiatric medication and share evidence-based approaches to safely tapering off these drugs. With his PhD in psychiatry and years of clinical experience, Anders brings a unique perspective that bridges psychological understanding with pharmacological expertise.
At the heart of our conversation is SERT occupancy—the mechanism by which antidepressants affect brain chemistry. Anders explains why even "baby doses" can have powerful effects and why standard tapering approaches often fail. His hyperbolic tapering method follows the actual biological curve of how medications work, preventing the withdrawal symptoms that are often misinterpreted as relapse.
We challenge the chemical imbalance theory and explore how psychiatric drugs function not as disease treatments but as strategies for emotion regulation. This fundamental reframing opens up possibilities for therapists to play a crucial role in helping clients navigate the tapering process—something traditionally considered outside their scope of practice.
Anders' new book, "Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off and Staying Off Psychiatric Drugs," offers both practical guidance and psychological insights for anyone considering discontinuation. The book deliberately places tapering instructions after extensive context about our relationship with emotions and challenging dominant narratives around mental health.
Ready to reconsider what you've been told about psychiatric medication? This episode might just change your perspective on healing and what's truly possible for your mental health journey.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Rethinking My Own True Acceptance: Willy Millard’s Journey to Authenticity Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

The moment Willy Millard walked in on his parents meeting with school officials asking "What did we do wrong?" after he came out at age 12, he knew the journey ahead wouldn't match the promised narrative. That painful memory still resonates years later as he navigates the unexpected complexities of identity both within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Willy shares how he discovered that coming out didn't lead to the unconditional acceptance he'd been promised. Instead, he found himself trading one set of boxes for another – now expected to define himself according to rigid community classifications: Was he a twink, a bear, or an otter? Which hanky color should he flag? The very community that preached acceptance demanded conformity to its own complex codes and categories.
As a successful stylist and salon owner, Willy also pushes back against being labeled "the gay stylist" rather than simply being recognized for his craft. He questions why his sexuality needs to be the qualifier for his professional identity, noting with pride that his recent magazine features celebrated his artistry rather than his orientation. This professional pigeonholing mirrors his broader struggle for authentic self-expression in a world obsessed with categorization.
What makes Willy's perspective particularly valuable is his refusal to give up. Despite the challenges, he continues engaging with the community, hoping to disrupt established patterns and find genuine connections. "Every once in a while I'll find somebody just like me," he explains, those rare moments of authentic understanding that make the struggle worthwhile.
For allies wanting to support LGBTQ+ individuals, Willy offers refreshingly straightforward advice: be yourself, let the other person take the lead, ask honest questions, and remember you don't have to support everything to be supportive. His message ultimately transcends sexuality – it's about the universal human desire to be seen as a whole person rather than a collection of labels.
Ready to rethink what true acceptance looks like? Listen now and join the conversation about finding authenticity in a world of boxes.

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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!
Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

Therapist Jenn:

Antidepressants Steal Your Sexuality and Humanity | Cael's Story of PSSD & Psych Med Harm Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the medication prescribed to help you ends up stealing fundamental aspects of your humanity? We sit down with Cael, a courageous 22-year-old who sought help for college anxiety at 19 and ended up trapped in a web of psychiatric medications that permanently altered his ability to feel emotions and experience physical pleasure. His story exposes the devastating reality of Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction, a condition that affects one in every 216 antidepressant users yet remains buried in medication inserts and dismissed by doctors.
Cael walks us through his journey from normal college adjustment anxiety to a cascade of psychiatric medications including Lexapro, Effexor, Zoloft, Cymbalta, and antipsychotics. Despite multiple doctors and genetic testing that promised personalized treatment, each medication brought new side effects that were blamed on "underlying conditions." The emotional numbness and sexual dysfunction that followed have left him feeling disconnected from family, friends, and romantic relationships during what should be the peak years of his life.
We explore how international health agencies recognize PSSD while the FDA continues to minimize these life-altering risks. Kale's experience reveals the urgent need for true informed consent and the courage required for young people to speak out against a system that failed them. His story serves as both a warning and a call to action for better protection of vulnerable patients seeking mental health care.
If you've experienced similar effects or know someone who has, this episode provides validation and resources for understanding what might really be happening. Subscribe for more whistleblowing conversations that challenge the psychiatric establishment and share this episode to help others connect the dots in their own medication journeys.

What happens when the medications meant to help actually take away your ability to feel joy, love, and connection? In this raw and eye-opening episode of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, we sit down with Cael, a brave 22-year-old who sought help for anxiety at 19—only to be caught in a devastating cycle of overmedication, misdiagnosis, and permanent side effects.

➡️ Watch as Kale shares his story of emotional numbness, loss of sexual function, and betrayal by a system that promised healing. From Lexapro to Zoloft to antipsychotics, Kale’s journey shines a spotlight on Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)—a life-altering condition affecting 1 in 216 antidepressant users but rarely acknowledged by doctors.

💔 Now in the prime of his sexuality, Kale is left unable to physically or emotionally function in romantic or intimate relationships. The medications that were supposed to help stole not just his pleasure, but fundamental aspects of his identity, connection, and humanity.

🔍 Topics We Cover:

What is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)?
The emotional and relational cost of antidepressant side effects
The truth about “personalized” psychiatry and genetic testing
International recognition of PSSD vs. FDA silence
The urgent need for informed consent in mental health treatment
How young people are speaking up about psychiatric injury

⚠️ If you've ever felt numb, disconnected, or confused after taking antidepressants—this episode is for you. We expose what many in the medical system won't tell you, and offer hope, validation, and next steps.

🔔 Subscribe to join our mission: challenging the psychiatric establishment and telling the untold stories of those harmed by the mental health system.

📬 Have a story? Email us at: thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com
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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?

🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.