How to manage withdrawal symptoms?

[unigirl1994]

I have recently seen my GP and asked him if I can trial stopping my antidepressants. I have been on them for 5+ years and have managed to get down to the lowest dose. My GP told gavs me some tapering advice and told me to do that for a month and see how I go. It's been 4 days and at some point of every day I've felt nauseous and dizzy. Plus when I feel sick, I start to panic because I hate the way it feels which leads to near panic attacks. Right now I'm crying for no reason because I feel so sad today and I don't know why. My partner has gone to work and I just want to be held by him and I can't. And I don't know what to do by myself. I don't want comfort from anyone else right now. I don't know how long this is supposed to last for and I wanted to see if anyone else here had any experience. Thanks for reading, hopefully I feel better soon.

[Sophie_M]

Hi unigirl,

We're so sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time coming off medication. We'd always recommend that you first get the best advice from your GP who is assisting you in tapering off.

However, you may also find it helpful to take a look at similar threads started by other members of our community:

"Withdrawal symtpoms antidepressants" -
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/seeking-support/helping-yourself-and-others/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/withdrawal-symptoms-antidepressants "Discontinuation Withdrawals - I just need to chat"- https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/seeking-support/helping-yourself-and-others/online-forums/anxiety/discontinuation-withdrawals---i-just-need-to-chat
  "Withdrawal Symptoms from Anti depressants" -
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/withdrawal-symptoms-from-anti-depressants
We hope that this helps you to feel a bit less alone in your experience. If you need some more immediate support, we'd recommend giving Lifeline a call if you think it could help. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can call them 24/7 on 13 11 14, or chat with them online 7pm-midnight AEDT - https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Thanks for reaching out here, and we hope this is of some comfort to you. Please feel free to keep us updated on how you're going here on your thread whenever you feel up to it.

[Guest_4643]

Hi unigirl1994.

You would be best discussing this with a Psychiatrist if you have one, or alternatively as you mentioned, your GP. We can't talk about medications here (names, dosages, etc) but I'm sure others have been in the same or similar positions.

[unigirl1994]

Thanks Sophie and MB for your replies. Not too long after my post, I managed to have a sleep and woke up feeling refreshed and not sad. I'm hoping these are feelings that go quickly, as I don't want to have to have them for a whole month or more. I will make an appointment to see my GP should they continue (I don't have a psychiatrist). I'm also going to let my partner know how I'm feeling and hopefully he can keep an eye on me and keep me grounded when I'm unwell.

[Guest_4643]

Hi unigirl1994.

I think looking into getting a Psychiatrist may be useful, I have one and he's wonderful. Up to you though.