What Is The Correct Way To Stop Taking Anti-depressant And Other Psychiatric Medications?
I am on all of the following for treatment of depression:
Lexapro
Risperdal (0.5 mg) – I’m taking this because it is supposed to augment the anti-depressant.
Provigil (200 mg) – Again, this is supposed to augment the anti-depressant. It gives me energy and keeps me from sleeping all day. It is actually an anti-narcoleptic.
I have become almost convinced that my depression is actually partially CAUSED by all this medication.
I’ve been on anti-depressants for YEARS (since I was about 16 or 17 – I’m now 32). I’ve been on almost every type you can think of.
I want off of this stuff!
How do you safely stop?
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In consultation with the doctor that prescribed them if you can trust him or her. In consultation with some other doctor if you cannot trust that one anymore. My own doctor is a DO (osteopath), and that is ideal in my view, as she has the right to prescribe drugs, but that’s not her emphasis. She’s much more holistic than the usual MD.
There are so many chemical interactions in the human body and especially the human brain that you don’t want to do this on your own, lest you fall back into the valley of despond. This is especially true when you are taking several interacting drugs.
But I am glad you want to get off the drugs. It shows that you want to take command of your own life, and that is good. Just do it with the smarts I know you have, and don’t cause yourself more trouble.
Whatever doctor you go to for this, be sure to discuss what herbal or non-prescription drugs you might keep handy in case you need them. I take St. John’s Wort myself. It is said that it only treats minor depression, but my feeling is that it keeps minor depression from becoming major.
I agree with everybody else here that you can only withdraw from psychiatric drugs under the supervision of your doctor. This is best done whilst you are on a hypoglycemic diet and under the under the supervision of a Nutritional Doctor.
However I believe withdrawing from drugs is not going to solve the underlying biochemical abnormality for which you were treated in the first place. Drugs seem to mask the symptoms of depression without addressing the underlying biochemical imbalances responsible for mood disorders. Thus the original cause of depression may still be present.
The alternative to drugs is treating the real causes of depression/anxiety.
Most people with mood disorders have been found to have a metabolic disorder that can be treated without recourse to drugs by nutritional means. This should be assessed by a Nutritional Doctors, who specialize in “mental illness”.
Please ask your doctor to be referred to a Nutritional Doctor or a Clinical Nutritionist who are familiar with the nutritional aspects of mood disorders. The under-mentioned articles explain how mood disorders can be treated.
Please discuss with your therapist
ask ur doctor!!!
i was on quite a cocktail since i was 18 now i am 30. i quit them all a year ago. i was being trested for ocd. now i am back on one antidepressant. no more ocd. i also agree too many meds can be bad for your mental health as well. talk to your doc about reducing the amount of meds and only continue the absolute necessary. always go through a doc. if your doc doesnt want to help, then find a new one. some think as many meds as possible is good, others feel less is more. find the right doc and youll be fine.