#59: Karin Kellum 🇺🇸

About this episode

Karin Kellum shares her journey of overcoming benzodiazepine withdrawal after being prescribed SSRIs at a young age.

April 13th, 2026 In this episode: I speak to Karin Kellum, a tattoo artist from Illinois, USA. She was prescribed SSRIs at the young age of 16, which eventually led to a prescription of benzodiazepines. After seeing a Netflix documentary, she decided to want to get off, which led to a severe withdrawal. Find Karen @ https://www.instagram.com/karintats/ Find Karen's tattoo shop in Peoria, Illinois @ https://www.instagram.com/rebel.heart.tattoo/ (00:00) Intro and SSRIs (07:50) Xanax (Alprazolam) and Ativan (Lorazepam) (13:53) Netflix documentary (19:52) Rapid withdrawal (24:55) Ashton Manual and research (27:30) Reinstatement (36:00) Switching to Valium (Diazepam) and taper (46:50) "Crossing Zero", other advice and closing

People in this episode

Host: Naftal Benisty

Guest: Karin Kellum

Topics covered

• mental health
• withdrawal
• benzodiazepines
• SSRIs
• tattoo artist
• personal story

Keywords

• Karin Kellum
• benzodiazepines
• SSRIs
• withdrawal
• mental health
• tattoo artist
• Illinois

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Netflix

Products: SSRIs, benzodiazepines, Xanax, Ativan, Valium

Books & works: Ashton Manual, Crossing Zero

Places: Illinois

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