Experience with Anti-depressants?

SherBear · 08-10-2014, 12:09 AM

So this is my first time on an SSRI (citalopram/celexa to be specific), I've been on the 20mg for about 6 mos. now and I was just wondering what other people experienced their first time around and what it's like coming off them? My doctor says I can start the process whenever I'm ready, but I'm not sure yet.

Thanks

keep_it_together · 08-10-2014, 08:28 AM

It's great that you're doing so well that you're considering coming off your meds! Congrats!

Generally as long as it's not been too soon and the tapering off has been done gradually I've not had any real problems with withdrawal.

I generally felt the same after coming off them as I did when on them happiness wise. You just are missing that hazy feeling in your head.

SherBear · 10-10-2014, 05:46 AM

Awesome thanks. I guess theres always that fear that everything will turn back to crap if I go off, so just taking it one day at a time for now. Your input helps, I appreciate it.

sherlock holmes · 10-10-2014, 11:05 AM

Have you felt completely well for the 6 months you've been on the medication? It's just that it's recommended that people don't stop their medication until they've been stable and well for at least 6 months. This is because if you stop too soon you could get the depression back as the medication acts on the chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain. If you stop too soon then the neurotransmitters haven't quite changed enough (this is a really vague explanation without looking at neuropsych text books).

Steel Maiden · 10-10-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherlock holmes

Have you felt completely well for the 6 months you've been on the medication? It's just that it's recommended that people don't stop their medication until they've been stable and well for at least 6 months. This is because if you stop too soon you could get the depression back as the medication acts on the chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain. If you stop too soon then the neurotransmitters haven't quite changed enough (this is a really vague explanation without looking at neuropsych text books).

Agreed. I think it is also to do with the receptors and desensitisation. It also depends on how severe your depression was when you started it, and if that was your first episode or not.