I'm not sure if i'll explain this right, but i'll have a go.
Do you think it's possible that if you have been on medication a long time, that you kind of just start to accept that that's the way you are?
I had been on medication 11 years, and during that time and right up until last month, i believed i needed them because i would get ill without them. I just accepted that that's me, i need pills or else i'll go down hill.
But last week i stopped my medication and have never felt better, my eyes don't look as if i'm drugged up, i look brighter, more with it, my anxiety has subsided massivley, and i have been coping very well and haven't been as depressed as when i was on them.
So like some people say you can become institutionalised, i'm wondering if for some people it can be a similar thing with medication?
Please note im aware that mental illness is real and that people can benefit with the help of medication, i'm not doubting that, i'm just wondering if you start to believe you can't function without them having been told by doctors and psychs that you need them, without ever trying without.
Sorry if ive offended anybody, just curious as like i said, my mental health has improved since coming off them.
yeah, i think that it is totally possible. psych meds are confusing, because at times they are a short term medication, like antibiotics meant to get a person well again and then be stopped, but other times they are a long term thing, like insulin for a diabetic... and it can be hard to tell what sort each medication is for an individual
this is my magical medicine cabinet. Left to right they contain: courage, hope, calmness, and strength.
The magical part: They NEVER run out, so borrow some any time you want.
Hi, I'm glad you posted this as I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to reduce my sertraline. I'd like to come off them but it scares me a little, I'm not very good at dealing with difficult situations right now so I don't know how I'll manage without my meds. I'll keep you updated.
Cool :) How did you get on at the doctors? I don't think anybody knows how they'll manage until they try it, just have to take a risk and try, or reduce them like you want to do and test the waters a bit.
I am thinking about coming of my meds to help me loose weight, and so i got one of them reduced and i went down hill so i am back on them again at the highest dose.. But i think i went down hill cos i had some hard news but i think you are right i am thinking about coming off them again when i am more stable..
I am really glad to hear your off meds and you feel better, you just proved that meds are not the answer to anything..
Hi, I am now taking a different dosage on alternative days, down to 100mg today and 150mg tomorrow and so on for 2 weeks. I am Feeling tired and sweating a bit, but apart from that, I'm just going to see how it goes.
I am not doubting that you do not need your medication anymore but please try to be careful. I have had 12 years experience messing with meds and I have gone weeks without meds and felt great but eventually it always catches up to me. Trust yourself but try to be aware of symptoms and warning signs. also I have I have had better success lowering the doses as slowly as possible. Good luck, I know it feels good to get off some of the meds.
I hope the feeling tired and sweating passes, it should do but i hope it all goes well for you.
Thankyou, yeah my therapist said a similar thing, just to be carefull cause it can take a few months for things to settle down. Right now though i'm just enjoying not being depressed and feeling better in myself, hopefully i'll continue.
12 years is a long time but i'm glad youve had a bit of success lowering the doeses slowly :)
