The repercussions can be extensive and extremely damaging.

It has a marked effect on the individual and their family members when people label you with a “supposed” mental illness.

I want the federal Health department to recognise that the process involved withdrawing from benzodiazepines for what it is, and what I went through  - a very painful, traumaticand longlasting physical process.

There are so many people throughout the world who have suffered, or are suffering the indignity of having an illness that isnt recognised or validated by the members of society that are there to help anyonewho is legitimately ill.

I stayed in my hometown because I felt sure I would be supported by family and friends. 

It doesn’t always work out that way and sometimes the ignorance can lead to a feeling of isolation.

If I was religious, I would say, “Please God forgive them for they know not what they do.”

I remember being in William Booth rehab when I began having difficulties with sleep.

That process continued for two whole months.

I was in pure agony and every night in the little chapel, I prayed endlessly for God to take the pain away and let me sleep. 

I cried a river and begged and begged for divine assistance but, naturally, that didn’t happen.

I know now that it was all symptoms of the long term withdrawal but I didnt know, at that time, it was only the beginning of the journey.

There was much worse to come.

Now, after 24 years, my faith in humanity has all but diminished.

It appears to me that society hasn’t really changed that much in the last 500 years. 

Ignorance, misperception and poor judgement are all still there, its just been modernised.

In any animal kingdom, only the strong survive. 

Sometimes it takes horrible life experiences to allow a gullible, green person to grow and mature - if that’s the case I’ll need to get to about age 875!

There are many people in my position who have been denied a fair hearing by the powers that be and are contacting Erin Brockovich inthe USA to gain validation and recognition. 

We have been relegated to a mental health scrap heap. 

I need that to change. My child has been through too much and every cruel action, comment or remark she received for so long at primary school breaks my heart and makes me want to fight for the most simplest of human rights - understanding.

As I have said previously, if you are going through anything like this and, th edeepest part of you says “I dont think this is right”, please makefurther enquiries.

Don’t let other people’s or community ignorance rule your life. 

Mental illness may or may not be involved but a cold turkey withdrawal from several drugs will cause horrific symptoms and we are quite justified in our need to be heard and recognised.

I also repeat that I’m standing up for all of us who have been misjudged by society and the medical fraternity.

I’m definitely not in favour of removal of these drugs. 

I had serious bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) that was causing me severe neuralgia and several teeth are now cracked and broken - so I had totake something to stop it. 

As with any medication, please make sure you take it as prescribed and I urge authorities to place warnings on the packet.

Seek help, get answers and stand up for your basic rights.

Sharon Piggott

Wauchope