Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What happens if I stop taking my antidepressants suddenly?
“I ran out” or “they are not working”, are the most common reasons I hear for mothers who stop taking their antidepressants.
If you are suffering from depression you have most likely been prescribed antidepressants. There is a huge misconception about antidepressants and not taking them correctly will prevent and delay your recovery.
You should always discuss with your doctor when you feel you are ready to stop taking your antidepressants and it is never advised that you just stop taking them, under any circumstances.
Antidepressants do and can create rather serious withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.
The common antidepressants that seem to be given at this present time, after asking 50 mothers who take antidepressants appear to be the SSRIs drugs such as Fluoxetine, Citalopram and Sertraline. Withdrawal symptoms from these particular drugs can include;
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Feeling anxious
- Feelings similar to small electric shocks
Many believe that it is the depression coming back, causing these unpleasant feelings, it is withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing and your depression had never gone anywhere in most cases.
Depression does not quickly come back within days of stopping taking your antidepressants, but can return in the coming few months.
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Will you suffer from withdrawal symptoms? It depends on a few factors;
The amount of time you’ve taken the medication
The dosage level
How quickly it is eliminated from your body
If you feel you would like to stop taking antidepressants please speak with your doctor who can reduce and monitor you during this time.
About The Real Supermum
Completely agree with this post. Always consult your gp about stopping etc & if you feel they arent working again speak to your gp, they can change ur pills or up your dosage.
Always something to know
x
In the past i have just stopped taking my antidepressants on a few occasions and it really is a stupid thing to do when i am ready to come off my meds this time i will make sure its done right xx
They say it takes from upto 3 weeks for anti depressants to get into your system and alot of people don’t take into account how long it takes to get out . I don’t think GP’s put enough emphasis on the dangers of stopping taking prescription drugs by yourself. i hope this post helps alot of people xxx
Always ask the doctor!
Great info article. I’ve only been on anti-d’s for a month and i’m feeling soooo much better and wish I had gone to the Drs months ago now. I’ve a friend who is rubbish at taking tablets and I know she’s been through hell and back missing taking them, deciding she’s stopping taking all her meds and then feeling worse. If anything i’ve learnt from that NOT to do something so stoopid without talking to your Dr about it first!
Always speak to your GP x
Insightful post! Totatlly agree. I was always bad at taking my depression tablets and for about 2 weeks i just kept forgetting to take them, even though i felt completely fine in myself i knew if anything bad would happen, if it was a simple as one of the boys got ill, i would end back at square one, so now they are next to my bed and i take one before i go to bed every night without fail … when and if i feel ready to come of them, i will be going back to the doctors and discussing it with them x x
if u want to stop taking them go speak to ur gp. i havent got it but my partner has and i can tell when he asnt taken em coz he starts getting really ratty and snaps alot xx
I have and still do stop takin mine suddenly because i dont always see the point in takin them
I stopped taking mine because I knew I was sting enough to cope without them, I still get anxiety attacks but not like I use to and I know how to cope with them now. But I did have a lot of support and was going to councling when I stopped x
i took my self off of mine about a month ago, i always forgot to take them x
I totally agree as well with this post, I was on mine for about 3 years and took myself off them due to the fact the ended up making me a violent wreck so I figured they were having the reverse affect on me. When I stopped taking them after a month my doctor had called me in to see him about the fact I hadnt picked any up for the month. He offered me another form of anti-depressants or the ones I was on in a lower dose. Luckily I was ok within myself and agreed to go back to doctors should I ever feel it coming back. Luckily I havent needed them in 18 months (touch wood) yes I have the normal off days like everyone else but I guess I was lucky. I do not recommend anyone just come off their anti-depressants without doctors say so first though xx