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About
About
An introduction to Pharmharmed.ie and the site's purpose.
Core Harm Reduction Principles & Ethos
The 7 core principles of which the site is founded upon.
Pharmharmed.ie takes inspiration from acronyms of traditional 12 Step Programs, repurposing principles to best support those in recovery from psychiatric drug dependence and injury. This page explores some of these acronyms.
The Blooming Triquetra was chosen for it its connection to Irish geography, the trinity and the tripartite nature of humanity. This page explores each aspect of its rich symbolism and how it ties directly into our mission.
Pharmharmed.ie is an independent, faith-led peer advocacy and informational project. Its core mission is to empower Irish patients, raise awareness about iatrogenic injury and central nervous system instability, and provide access to evidence-based third-party resources. Please read our full legal disclaimer.
CNS Injury & Withdrawal
CNS Injury & Withdrawal
Explains what iatrogenic (medication induced) injury to the central nervous system looks like, and how it happens.
Explains paradoxical reactions and how they differ from adverse reactions.
Explains polypharmacy and the problems that can occur when a patient is prescribed multiple psychiatric medications.
Explains the 'windows and waves' pattern of stabilisation in psychiatric drug induced injury and withdrawal.
Akathisia: A Suicide Emergency
Akathisia: A Suicide Emergency
An explanation of what akathisia is, how it occurs, symptoms, types and examples from patient stories.
Medications that may cause or worsen akathisia
Free one-hour online courses from MISSD (The Medication Induced Suicide Prevention and Education Foundation, in Memory of Stewart Dolin) accessible for everyone including healthcare providers, carers, patients, friends and family. These courses will allow you to recognise and appropriately respond to akathisia.
Documentary - This is Akathisia
A patient led documentary from The Akathisia Alliance
Withdrawal
Withdrawal
Explains acute withdrawal from psychiatric medication.
Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome
Protracted withdrawal syndrome, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), describes a condition where psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms persist for months or even years after stopping a substance or medication like alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or antidepressants. This page explores protracted withdrawal in relation to benzodiazepines and other antidepressants.
Interdose withdrawal is the emergence of physical withdrawal symptoms in the hours between scheduled doses of a medication. This page explores how and why this happens.
Medication tolerance is when your body gets used to a drug over time. The drug works less well, so you need a higher dose to get the same result. This page explores tolerance, medications that can cause it, and how to best respond.
Explains the phenomenon known as 'kindling',the process where repeated cycles of substance withdrawal and reinstatement lead to nervous system hypersensitisation, increasing risk of adverse outcomes.
Reinstatement to Reduce Withdrawal
Sometimes withdrawal symptoms from psychiatric medication can be intolerable. Reinstatement to reduce withdrawal means starting to take a small dose of a medication again after you stopped or lowered your dose. This page explains the whys and hows.
Resources
Resources
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The Top 11 Myths that you may have heard commonly circulated surrounding psychiatric medication, plus the clinical and patient experience reality.
Irish News: Medication Harm, Safety & Accountability
Irish news articles and links concerning medication harms, adverse reactions, overprescribing, and Irish Medical Council cases.
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Helpful guidance and resources for medical professionals or anyone who works with people in crisis.
Practical, evidence-based resources on gradual medication reduction, hyperbolic tapering, withdrawal, and considerations for working with a healthcare professional.
Articles, guides, research and other resources to help you understand psychiatric medication, adverse effects, dependence, withdrawal and related conditions.
A collection of peer-support communities and organisations where people can connect with others who have experienced medication withdrawal, akathisia or related difficulties.
Information and resources to help you find healthcare professionals who understand medication withdrawal, deprescribing and the importance of individualised care.
Recommended books covering psychiatric medication, withdrawal, tapering and related topics.
Ready-to-use letters and templates to help you communicate clearly with doctors, prescribers, friends and family members about medication concerns, withdrawal and treatment preferences.
Access informational pamphlets on pharmaceutical medications on the Irish market.
Report a side effect of a medication to the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
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