🎙️ Episode 54: Breaking the Stigma and Finding Strength with Tom Conway-Gordon 🎙️
In this episode of the TRUUMAN Podcast, host Lewis Hackney sits down with writer, mental health advocate, and speaker Tom Conway-Gordon. Tom shares his deeply personal and empowering journey with anxiety, depression, and the challenges of withdrawing from antidepressants, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own mental health struggles.
About the Guest:
Tom Conway-Gordon is passionate about opening up conversations around mental health, therapy, and the realities of living with anxiety and depression. Having been prescribed and successfully weaned off Citalopram after years of reliance, Tom’s experiences shed light on:
The role of antidepressants as a “crutch” during difficult times.
The stigma surrounding mental health medication.
The importance of therapy and self-awareness in overcoming challenges.
Through his candid writing and advocacy, Tom aims to inspire others to seek help, embrace their journeys, and break free from stigma.
What to Expect in This Episode:
Tom reflects on his journey, sharing key moments from his personal mental health story, including:
Life before medication: Battling acute anxiety and mild depression while working under high pressure in a toxic relationship.
Taking the first step: Seeking psychiatric help and starting Citalopram as a tool to regain stability.
The realities of antidepressants: How they helped him manage his emotions, but also left him feeling "numb" and longing to regain the full spectrum of his emotions.
The challenges of withdrawal: From brain “zaps” to building mental resilience, Tom details the six-month process of weaning off medication and the lessons learned along the way.
The transformative power of therapy: How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helped Tom address negative thought patterns, develop self-awareness, and rebuild his mental strength.
Key Takeaways:
Medication is a tool, not a weakness. Antidepressants can be a vital crutch during tough times, but they don’t define your journey.
Therapy is essential. Tom credits CBT and regular therapy sessions as key components in his recovery.
Withdrawal is tough but possible. With patience, guidance, and mental resilience, Tom successfully stopped taking antidepressants and regained control of his emotional well-being.
You are not alone. Mental health struggles are universal, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney
https://tomconway-gordon.medium.com/anti-depressants-me-the-drugs-did-work-bb52a254569c
https://www.instagram.com/tconwaygordon/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomconwaygordon/
