Reclaim Your Mind and Life beyond Psychiatric Medication
In 12 weeks, the support I wish I had when I was going through withdrawal
My Story
“Trust me I am a doctor,” she said. That commenced my full decade into Hell. “Take these” she said and handed me some tablets. “But there’s nothing wrong with me,” I objected. That is when she pulled rank. I had consulted her about a family member.
The changes were sublte at first. But then, suddenly, when bouncing my son on my knee... I felt nothing... It had always filled me with happiness. The difference was too stark to ignore.
Back to the psychiatrist. I was the patient this time. She doubled the dose. And added a diagnosis. I had full blown MDD, Major Depressive Disorder. My duty towards my children, that never left me. Yet the part that enabled one to survive and thrive in a corporate setting, that part just didn’t care anymore.
When I had to fly to another continent on business, the jet lag from the time difference combined with the drugs left me in a confused state, so I stopped taking them. The very next day I felt wonderfully better. I stayed off them for 6 weeks, but then a worse depression hit me. When I went back to the doctor for help she shouted at me for stopping.
Other strange things started to happen. One morning I couldn't remember how to dress myself. I'd stood there puzzlling whether to put my shoes or my socks on first. I stopped the drugs again. Same pattern. This time she put me on something even stronger.
Then someone told me the truth: the medication was the cause. Not a side effect. The cause. It was a lightbulb moment. The reason why when thinking what I would do next, it always crept in. Every day. Mmm, go for a walk, or a swim, or kill myself. Bizarre.
I tried to taper. Cut 50% I was told. I was in the parking garage of a skyscraper. I had arrived for an appointment with a top corporate client. But first I sat in my car and cried for fifteen minutes. Dried my eyes and did the appointment, but had to go back on full dose.
I finally worked out a way to cut my dose by 1/28. I stayed on 27/28 dose for two weeks until withdrawal stabilised, and then tapered 1/28 again. I informed my psychiatrist what I was doing. “If you do this” she said, “You will die.” My response was “I am already dead.”
This time it worked, I could tolerate the slow withdrawal. I started to feel better and better as there was less drug in my system. I took my last pill 21 years ago. A decade on, and now 21 off!
For years after tapering, my body was still unstable - random depressed days, plus metabolic instability. Then eleven years ago I discovered keto and those days stopped. They never came back.
I will forever live with the consequences of who I was then. Now I have control of who I am.
The way I work - the 6Fs Framework
For over a decade this is the framework I have used to coach clients, to ensure safe tapering and full healing. There is no single format. Mind, body and spirit are all closely interrelated and need to synergise to protect against protracted withdrawal, and foster your new authentic life.
Fisical: Your body is the foundation. Metabolic health stabilizes blood sugar. This stabilises mood. Morning light and movement reset your nervous system. Blood tests and a CGM show you scientifically what's actually happening instead of guessing. When your metabolism is solid, the taper doesn't wreck you. The body can handle the pace because you've already fixed the dysregulation the drugs created.
Farmaceutical: This is the hyperbolic taper itself, but here's what most people miss: it's not about the schedule. It's about observation. We watch how your body responds at each micro-dose. You adjust the pace based on what you see, and we stay in communication with what's happening. That's the difference between a rigid taper that fails and one that works.
Feelings: As drug dosage decreases, you're teaching your nervous system a new language. How to process emotion, stress, and uncertainty on its own without need for the drug. Enjoying feeling again without panic.
Filosophical: Who are you without the drug? That's the question that matters. Identity, purpose, meaning—they are redicsovered and come back when the chemical interference is gone.
Family: Relationships heal when you're present. Your children, your partner, your friends—they get you back. Not the medicated version. The real version. Relationship Coaching unlocks the new you in a way that values what is most important, our investment in our attachments to those we love.
Financial: This represents the activities in the real world that have been affected. Your work, your income, your business. When you're present again, you can think clearly. You can earn. You can rebuild. The best can stil lie ahead.
Testimonials
"Three years ago I was struggling — foggy, exhausted, overweight, and disconnected after six years on antidepressants. I was even considering closing my business.
Working with Erik changed everything. His personalised metabolic plan, safe tapering, and coaching helped me come off the medication smoothly with no withdrawal symptoms.
Two years later, I’m medication-free, 12 kilos lighter, full of energy, and my business is thriving. I finally feel like myself again.
If you’re ready to reclaim your life, Erik is the coach you need."
Janine 2024
"Four years ago I went to hospital and they put me on three drugs — lithium, a mood stabiliser, and an antipsychotic. I felt very dull and sleepy.
Erik, who is a specialised health coach, helped me get off all three medications. Now I’ve got a lot more energy and a lot more spunk. I’ve also lost a lot of weight.
I’m feeling a lot better now. I’m a much better person and I’ve got a lot more energy, thanks to Erik."
— Anna, Mother of Two
Anna 2026
"Before working with Erik, my life was ruled by medication. I was on beta blockers for hypertension and migraines, three different painkillers, and hypnotic medication just to sleep at night. I was getting migraines five times a week, I was obese, my joints were constantly sore, I had terrible brain fog, and my hair was falling out.
Today, everything has changed.
With Erik’s guidance I safely tapered off all my psychotropic medication with zero withdrawal symptoms. I’ve lost 16kg, I sleep soundly every night without any medication, my migraines and joint pain are completely gone, my mind is clear, and I even have visible hair regrowth.
I feel like a completely different person — healthier, lighter, and finally in control of my own body and mind again."
Anonymous - 2023
