Thinking to stop antidepressant!

[starfairy]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

i am 6 1/2 months AL free and i did ween myself off mine. It was terrible. I still have occasional brain zaps. I hate that i had even gotten back on them because i had a horrible time the first time too. (years ago) I feel like i was on them because i was depressed from the AL. i just needed a cure but really it just made me care less about my drinking. i was binging even more on them than i ever had. i know i am still an emotional roller coaster and my anxiety is still high at times just as it was when i was on them. they did not help me in any way other than the not caring part. i am now trying to deal with myself in this manner and it too is hard. i just have to understand how intense i am and find a middle ground.

[mama bear]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

afer a suicide attempt many years ago, I know I wll be on anti depressants the rest of my life.....
I have weaned down to a minimal does, but appreciate them for the tool they are

[dixon]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

Hi guys,
Loads of information here!!.Many thanks to all of you.
Sorry to put you in confusion saying to quit antidepressant but it is my attempt to gather information and your practical experience at the moment.Of course,they are helping to raise will power to stay AF now so withdrawal of AD at the moment would be disastrous for sure.Taking the yours advises into consideration I definitely will take doctors advice before quite them at all.To be honest with you I have already titrated down by 1/3 doses and quite feeling well.I will slowly go down and quit if my doctor agree with me.
My intention is that to know that if I am really depressed and in need of medication or it is just because of AL abuse ?.
As my doctor was prescribed when I was already abusing alcohol.
Anyway,I will keep AD in stock even if I give up them for any emergency requirements.

Therefore,I will cut down gradually for sure and taking supplemenrd to cope with its placebo effect.
Will comeback again with your individual concern later when I get extra time.
Now time to go on bed.
Good night.
Dix

[Wagoneer]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

Dixon - I worked in a Behavioral Medicine Unit and I cannot tell you how many very sick people I saw come back into the hospital because they thought "Hey I feel fine! I don't need these meds!" then stopped and ended up coming into the ER. The reason they felt better was BECAUSE they were on the meds. It is a catch 22. When you were drinking and taking the meds, they were not doing their job as they should. Now you have stopped drinking and your meds are doing what they are supposed to. I am not a doctor, but you need to be very careful with this. If you go off them and you get depressed again, there is a chance you could start drinking again. You have done so wonderfully, please see a doctor before doing anything. If you won't see a doctor, please titrate your meds down SLOWLY.

[Wildflowers]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

There is so much good info shared here! Experiences, knowledge, wisdom, perceptions at MWO!.... One big reason I luv this place! The thing is Dixon, every ones brain chemistry is different! Sometimes it's organic & other times it's situational, or a mix. It's so very important you do this under the care & guidance of your Dr!.... Your experiences could differ quite differently from others, or be similar.

I had a GP, who wouldn't listen! Then there were times I also liked to think & act, as if I knew~know, more than the pros. Also I got lazy & quit looking for other Dr's to help me, gave up. Then I thought I was all better ~ syndrome & Bam ~ Sigh.... Finally I found something that helps me & as long as it works, I'm at peace with taking it 4ever. It's part of MWO.

PS. Thanks Coach Crew for acknowledging you made a boo boo. Ya know we all do!.... Haven't met any perfect peeps yet!..... I sure do learn good solid things from you!... I'm really glad you are here!... Along with every one else, as we all have something good to give!... I love the diversity!.... It's a rich environment to grow & learn in! :h

[dixon]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

Dear folks,

I am thankful for all of your concerns. They are very helpful.
To summarize my intention,


I Just wanted to know if it is the cause of Al or by heredity or due to unbearable tragedies happened in life ----once stopping AD but slowly.
No worry,I will keep the stock of ADs and in case of self harm attempt or for emergency use .I am aware that it takes time for 2-3 weeks to work in the system so will add up immediately if feel any wrong.
I don't go for cold turkey like AL ...
If nothing happens with cut down ,I would know that its simply cause of AL and will be more helpful to stay abstinent.
Only That's why !!
Trial and error checking..
Dix

[dixon]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

mama bear;1363450 wrote: afer a suicide attempt many years ago, I know I wll be on anti depressants the rest of my life.....
I have weaned down to a minimal does, but appreciate them for the tool they are

Wow Mama,
You are dangerous !! .Please please don't lose your hope who know tomorrow ,there could be a mysterious invention in the medical world and one capsule would be enough to put you in abstinent !!

In my case, I have a depression but it is different I always scare of self harm.I always get depressed on how to save my life ??
I will have plenty of AD with me to add up so no worry.
Dix

[nancy]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

going off ADs

That's good that you care about your life Dixon. I would just reiterate, I think the beneficial thing about ADs is getting a person out of crisis and to establishing a better life. Once that is firm and secure, wean off. So that means your relationships, whether you have a support network. Not just being off booze. People like to think it's all some chemical thing but often depression is about problems in your personal life.

[Wildflowers]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

dixon;1363616 wrote: Dear folks,

I am thankful for all of your concerns. They are very helpful.
To summarize my intention,


I Just wanted to know if it is the cause of Al or by heredity or due to unbearable tragedies happened in life ----once stopping AD but slowly.
No worry,I will keep the stock of ADs and in case of self harm attempt or for emergency use .I am aware that it takes time for 2-3 weeks to work in the system so will add up immediately if feel any wrong.
I don't go for cold turkey like AL ...
If nothing happens with cut down ,I would know that its simply cause of AL and will be more helpful to stay abstinent.
Only That's why !!
Trial and error checking..
Dix

It could be any of these Dixon! This is why it's imperative to speak to a Dr who specializes in mental health imo. If it's genetics, organic in nature, or caused by physical, or emotional trauma, it's likely that the brain my need synthetic chemicals for a persons life time. Not just during a crisis, or while a person is recovering from addiction.

[nancy]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

just my opinion

If it results from trauma it can be dealt with in long-term psychotherapy. The key is changing your relationship with yourself. That's also the key to addiction.

[Wildflowers]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

While I believe this is a viable treatment approach, there are times when this approach doesn't work without long term medication. Individuals, their past and current circumstances are different, which dictate one approach verses another. There also may come a time when psychotherapy ends as a person emotionally & mentally has healed, changed. Yet still is organically not well. Predisposed from genetics, a variety of sources, lack of them, environment, medical history, age. Addiction, seriousness & its aftermath. There are far to many complexities to be one dimensional in treating people with AD's. For many they save lives. Yet, I also think they are over prescribed. That there are other very good treatment approaches available. Again this is a very individual decision, which should be done under the care of a Dr. preferably a PDr. who specializes in addictions, imo. Or Holistic providers. I think Mr. Dixon is an intelligent person, researching & gathering info. Will be seeking guidance from his Dr. Don't forget your multi-vitamin.

[dixon]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

nancy;1363733 wrote: If it results from trauma it can be dealt with in long-term psychotherapy. The key is changing your relationship with yourself. That's also the key to addiction.

Nancy,
It's really a dissatisfaction on relationship.
Might go forever!!!
Have you got any suggestion please!
Dix

[nancy]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

takes time

Dixon I think it really takes a long time. There are so many factors that go into it. I first of all would advise you to see a psychotherapist long term. Cognitive behavior therapy is good for this. A therapist can help you see when you are being too hard on yourself unrealistically and remind you of that. It's important to remember that the thoughts going on in your head can be very inaccurate. Don't trust them. If your self-talk is bad because of childhood abuse, try imagining yourself as a child going through what you went through and have compassion for yourself about that experience.

If your self-esteem is bad because you did some bad things related to alcohol, you need to work on making amends but also while having some compassion for yourself. The best thing is that we have total power over this because we just need to call off our own attack. Every person deserves lightness and to enjoy life Dixon. Finally, I strongly advise reading Heart of Addiction by Lance Dodes. Watch your every thought Dixon, don't allow beating yourself up.

[Cashregister]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

Wagoneer;1363547 wrote: Dixon - I worked in a Behavioral Medicine Unit and I cannot tell you how many very sick people I saw come back into the hospital because they thought "Hey I feel fine! I don't need these meds!" then stopped and ended up coming into the ER. The reason they felt better was BECAUSE they were on the meds. It is a catch 22. When you were drinking and taking the meds, they were not doing their job as they should. Now you have stopped drinking and your meds are doing what they are supposed to. I am not a doctor, but you need to be very careful with this. If you go off them and you get depressed again, there is a chance you could start drinking again. You have done so wonderfully, please see a doctor before doing anything. If you won't see a doctor, please titrate your meds down SLOWLY.

Being bipolar myself I can say this is so true. When you feel better and stabilise you think " oh that's ok then I can stop taking them I'm cured" and then back to the roller coaster you go.

[Cashregister]

Thinking to stop antidepressant!

Ps I do WAY more drinking when I'm not stable. Self medication is what it says it is for people like me.