I think its time I came off anti depressants

[DeathIsTheWayOut99]

Though my next appointment with my psychiatrist is in about 15 days. I feel I should try call her to see if I cam get her. I have been weaning for some time and havent noticed any negative changed so perhaps I can just stop now? I wonder, having been on Zoloft for about a year, is my brain permanently damaged. I wonder if I am fucked for life thanks to these meds....

 

[Peachycherry]

I would really recommend checking in with your psychiatrist before stopping your meds completely. Some antidepressants have the nasty tendency to cause extreme suicidal thoughts when stopped. Depending on how much you've weaned off them, it could be dangerous to stop them and cause you to act impulsively, or have withdrawal symptoms. As far as I know, Zoloft (sertraline) isn't a lifelong med so it shouldn't permanently affect your brain, though I've never been on it so maybe someone else can testify for that. You should prepare another treatment with your psychiatrist to keep getting your illness treated, like psychotherapy, to assure your mental health doesn't deteriorate without your meds. Hope this helped.

 

[LittleJem]

What doseage are you on now? And what is it doing to you? I recommend the Facebook groups on Zoloft - you will get lots of advice on weaning off on those and they often know much more than the doctors...

 

[timf]

You mentioned "weaning" if you cut your dosage and see no ill effects, you can try cutting it again. This may be a less stressful way than going cold turkey. In the final analysis, it is how it effects you that is the measure of if it is the right course of action.

 

[MichaelNomad123]

Your consultant will be able to advise you. Trust in them and their expertise. There should be alternatives to your current medication, if you and your doctor feel like that that is the path to walk. My advice is to be open and honest with them about your concerns. They will certainly try to help alleviate them.

 

[Ghost2211]

It can take months for the full effect of those meds to stop. I stopped mine about 6 months ago, and doing so made me happier. Even weaning slowly I mad mood swings and brain/extremity zaps for months. Honestly, I the problem is your environment rather than lasting med effects.

 

[TooConscious]

All you're getting here is opinions... Everyone's different. Personally I don't think you need to worry that your reliant on meds for life if you've only been on a year ad already weened down.
An example is some people come off massive doses of even severely different meds after years or decades and actually show improvement. Our brains are wired incredibly different.

My advice is stay wise listen to your mind and body try to know the difference between thoughts and what may be actual need, and let someone you trust know who has an open mind and won't just tell you to stay on or go back so it's easier for them or they think they don't have to worry.

Its only us who take meds who kno mw why we want to come off most people don't understand the horrific side effects.

 

[Dcap1]

Coming off has to be very slow and gradual or you will suffer(been there). Try staying on a low dose and see how it goes.

 

[k75]

Just out of curiosity, if you haven't noticed any negative changes, why are you concerned you've suffered permanent damage?

Anyway, if you are seeing a doctor, there's absolutely no reason to try figure it out yourself. Just tell your psychiatrist you want to stop, and they'll tell you how to safely.

 

[noaccount]

Unfortunately a lot of psychiatrists don't know how to stop safely... And suggest tapers that are too abrupt if they'll agree to helping with withdrawal at all... The Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs is a good set of guidelines, there are free pdfs of it around the internet...