Wanting to stop medication

[Busy_mummy]

Hi I am new to this, so here goes. I have suffered from anxiety/depression for many many years. I have been taking medication for 9 plus years. I would like to try to stop or reduce my medication and speak to a psychologist or similar but my GP just keeps giving me medication. I need to find out the reason why. I am in my 40's with young children. Married. Normal money problems etc. my GP has been my doctor for over 20 years and we live in a small town so changing doctors is not really an option. Any suggestions will be great.

[Dwwmills]

Hi Busy mummy.

Have you discussed reducing your medication with your GP? Unless you mention it there is no reason for the GP to think it needs altering.

Do you have a reason for wanting to stop your medication? Hopefully it’s that you are coping well and think that you may be able to do with a lower dose all without it.

Dean

[geoff]

hello Busy mummy, it's lovely to hear from you.
Have you taken the the K-10 test recently, and if not it maybe a good idea to do so, just to let yourself know where you are standing in regards to having depression, but I would suggest that you take it several times a day and mark down your score.
When you are talking to your doctor he/she can pick up how you seem to be and if depression/anxiety is still a problem for you, especially after knowing you for 20 years, they have this knack to mentally feel how you are going along.
Being in your 40's with two young children, having the usual finance problems, relationship trouble if this does occur, and everything else that goes with having a young family can often increase your mood tension, I'm sorry for this, and by living in a small town only increases the fact that more people know what's going on with other people.
If you want to stop or decrease your medication because you don't want people to know that you are taking them, there's a good chance they are taking them as well, but not letting on.
I would be really interested to see the average score of the K-10 test if you would to share that with us. Geoff. x

[blondguy]

Hello BM

thankyou for your topic. Its a good one. Heaps of great advice from Dean and Geoff above too!

Have you asked your GP for a review of your meds? I am on my 20th year of meds for depression and anxiety. Geoff mentioned taking the K10 test and seeing an average score. Great idea

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[Cwideoraefta]

It is absolutely essential you do this only with the help of your qualified medical practitioner, so I would raise this with your GP or specialist.

And if you are not satisfied with their response, you are entitled to a second opinion -- from another appropriately qualified medical practitioner!

[blondguy]

Hi Busy Mummy, I hope you are still around 🙂 Sorry to hi-jack your thread, I just need a quick minute with Cwideoræfta. Hi Cwideoraefta .....you are spot on...a GP would be the best suggestion to go with. Paul