When Healing Feels Uneasy: A Gentle Invitation to Trust Yourself🤝

In the corridors of modern healing, a few names tend to echo more often than others: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors).

They are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety — tested rigorously, studied extensively, and genuinely intended to help lighten life's heavier days.

And they do help many…
But sometimes — quietly, almost imperceptibly — a different story unfolds.

As an Ayurveda practitioner, my path is to listen deeply: not only to symptoms, but to the subtle murmurs beneath them. Sometimes, those murmurs speak of an unexpected restlessness — an unsettling, internal agitation that feels vastly different from the original depression itself.

This phenomenon is known as akathisia — a little-known but very real side effect where the nervous system feels as though it’s being stirred too forcefully. It’s not just fidgeting. It’s a profound, sometimes unbearable inner turbulence.
And interestingly, it can occur because in some individuals, these medications may trigger an unexpected surge in dopamine activity — a shift not always anticipated during the design of these treatments.

You see, pharmaceuticals — no matter how well-tested — are typically developed through clinical trials based on population studies, there will always be unique individuals whose bodies and minds respond differently.

In Ayurveda, we cherish this truth: You are not a statistic.
You are a living, breathing symphony of energies — utterly unique, unrepeatable, and wise beyond measure.

When a medication doesn’t sit well, it doesn’t mean the medicine is "bad". It simply means your body is offering diagnostic information. And, in fact, a true healer welcomes this information. Because the most important diagnostic tool in the room has always been — and will always be — you.

If you ever feel that something isn't quite right after starting a new treatment — whether it’s restless energy, inner agitation, or anything that feels foreign to your usual self — I invite you to trust that inner signal.
Gently. Respectfully. Bravely.

It is not disrespectful to speak up.
It is partnership.
It is wisdom in action.

A simple, courageous phrase like:
"This doesn't feel right for me. Can we explore other options together?"
can open a powerful dialogue with your doctor, one based on collaboration rather than silent endurance.

There are many approaches available.
Sometimes a different medication, sometimes a different dosage, sometimes a broader plan that embraces both modern science and holistic healing.
But the conversation starts with your voice.

For those curious to learn more about akathisia — and why listening to your experience matters so much — I invite you to explore resources such as:

• The MISSD Foundation

• The Akathisia Institute

• Mind UK - Antidepressants Side Effects

Knowledge, like self-awareness, is power — the gentle, luminous kind.

Always remember:
You are not "difficult" for questioning.
You are not "overreacting" for feeling.
You are honouring the greatest healer you will ever know — the wise intelligence that lives within your own being.

Healing is not just about finding the right medicine.
It is about finding the right medicine for you.

Walk bravely, walk kindly.
And never forget: your body’s wisdom is a gift, not a glitch.

With love, deep trust, and infinite respect for your journey,
Priya Birdi