Episode Details

Send us Fan Mail

"Does that mean I'm broken?" This question haunted Michelle Reittinger after her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 1998. Like countless others, she believed the psychiatric narrative that her condition was incurable, neurodegenerative, and would require lifelong medication management. What followed was a harrowing decade-plus journey through the mental health system that nearly cost her everything.

Michelle's raw, unflinching account takes us through the escalating cycles of medication failures, four psychiatric hospitalizations, 12 rounds of electroconvulsive therapy, and multiple suicide attempts. The poignant moment that finally anchored her to life came while watching her four-year-old daughter play. "If you ever succeed in ending your life, you will ruin her life," Michelle realized. "She will think it was her fault." This clarity became her tether to existence when nothing else could.

What makes this conversation truly extraordinary is how it challenges the fundamental assumptions about bipolar disorder. Michelle walks us through her gradual, carefully-managed journey off seven psychiatric medications and into complete recovery—something mainstream psychiatry insisted was impossible. She details the practical tools she developed for taking responsibility for symptoms without shame, including her "Mood Cycle Survival Guide" that helps identify triggers, establish support networks with clear boundaries, prioritize essential tasks during difficult periods, and implement strategies for returning to stability.

The most provocative aspect of Michelle's story is how it exposes the historical shift in mental health outcomes. Before lithium and other psychiatric drugs became standard treatments, recovery rates for people with bipolar symptoms were actually higher—75-90% compared to just 33% after medication became the norm. The diagnostic expansion that has seen bipolar disorder go from affecting approximately 1 in 20,000 people to as many as 1 in 20 raises profound questions about how we understand and treat emotional suffering.

This conversation isn't just for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It's for anyone who's been told their mental health condition is permanent, anyone supporting a loved one through psychological distress, and professionals willing to question dominant narratives. Michelle's journey reminds us that sometimes the most radical act is believing healing is possible when everyone says it isn't.

We're recruiting for a first-of-its-kind psychiatric medication withdrawal research study. If you've experienced psychiatric medication withdrawal, you may be eligible to participate.  Email DrTeralyn@DrTeralyn.com to learn more. 

Savorista Coffee is offering our listeners 25% off their premium craft decaf and half caf blends with bold flavors, ethically sourced beans, and natural decaffeination. Small-batch roasted for exceptional taste. E

Use promo code GASLIT at checkout! 

https://savorista.com/discount/GASLIT

💊 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.

Support the show

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