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Peace Quote by Robert Whitaker

“The cocktail she took usually included a mood stabilizer, an antidepressant, and a benzodiazepine for anxiety, although the exact combination was always changing. One drug would make her sleepy, another would give her tremors, and none of the cocktails seemed to bring her emotional tranquility…” quote by Robert Whitaker
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““The cocktail she took usually included a mood stabilizer, an antidepressant, and a benzodiazepine for anxiety, although the exact combination was always changing. One drug would make her sleepy, another would give her tremors, and none of the cocktails seemed to bring her emotional tranquility. Then, in 2001, she was put on an anti-psychotic, Zyprexa, which, in a sense, worked like a charm. "You know what?" she says today, amazed by what she is about to confess. "I loved the stuff. I felt like I finally found the answer. Because what do you know. I have no emotions. It was great. I wasn't crying anymore.””

Robert Whitaker

About This Quote

Source Book: Anatomy of an Epidemic, Robert Whitaker, 2010

She recounts a history of changing psychiatric meds, ending with a drug that numbed her emotions, leading to a feeling of relief from distress.

In simple terms: She found a medication that stopped her feeling emotions, ending her distress.

Key Takeaway

Consider the emotional cost of medication.

Themes

mental health medication emotional numbness

Mood

cautious critical

Type

analytical thought‑provoking

When to use this quote

  • psychiatric treatment
  • patient consent
  • risk assessment
  • emotional well‑being

Key Concepts

Pharmacology patient experience

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is emotional numbness a fair trade for relief?
  • How can we balance symptom control with emotional health?
A Different Perspective

Medication may suppress symptoms but also diminish emotional richness.

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