coming of antidepressents

[toshy]

Hi, My name is Chris,

 I am in my 3rd week coming of an antidepressant cold turkey, this has all been done under my Phyciatrist, the first 2 weeks were like a massive foggy mess,it was like i was suffering a permanent hang over,  and then i thought i had conquered it, 3 days of feeling ok, only unfortunatly to take a dive on the 4th day,irritability, anxious, cant stop crying feel alone, and now people are saying maybe i should just go back on and wean slowly but i feel that i would only be going backwards then, so now i want to keep going and not go back on medication but i was  wondering if anyone can tell me how long it took them to get through this phase, and how do they feel now?

Thankyou for time,

Christine

[geoff]

dear Christine, it really astounds me that your psychiatrist has allowed you to come off antidepressants by doing it cold turkey.

If you ask any doctor or psychologist that you want come off them they normally say that you have to reduce them by slowly cutting them down, otherwise you get the symptoms that you have described.

Personally if I miss my medication for two days then I am a mess, because I cry at the drop of a hat.

You shouldn't feel any guilt by taking them, as in your other comment, you say ' my sister likened it to what if I had diabetes or a heart condition,' how true, and I have to take my anti-epileptic medication three times a day, because if I don't then there would be an earthquake on a richter scale of 10.

Have a look at this when you google 'how to come off antidepressants', which you probably have already.

When you go to the chemist you can see that the majority of people who are taking antidepressants is really high, which means we live a depressed society. L Geoff. x

[a_long_time_lost]

Hello Chris,

I have been diagnosed with severe chronic anxiety and depression and have only been taking antidepressants for a very short time. I too am surprised that your psychiatrist would allow you to come off your meds cold turkey. Right now I don't feel as though my meds are doing anything for me at all and like Geoff, even on them I cry at the drop of a hat. I really did not want to start taking antidepressants but I was given no choice as I did not want to be detained in some unknown environment... I am now scared of how it will be when and if I ever I get of these things... I think Geoff is on the mark and you need to get some proper advice for coming off the right way. Good luck.

[claire33]

hi christine,

i too am surprised you are stopping meds cold turkey - it is not recommemded unless they are doing you harm. withdrawals are terrible. 

my doctor has also likened the medications to those for diabetes or cholesterol. depression is caused by chemical imbalance in the brain - so why wouldnt we treat it? anyway everyone is different but if things dont get better for you soon maybe you can seek a second opinion?