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Originally Posted by Oxidopamine
Yes, those are likely withdrawal symptoms. The dopamine theory for schizophrenia suggests there are different dopamine receptors with different affinities for dopamine. As you wean yourself off the anti-psychotic, you may find dopamine levels increase, particularly at the dopamine D2 receptor. Another factor that comes into play is the specific medication. There are different potency levels of risperidone/Risperdal but in general, it can be a moderately potent anti-psychotic, although there certainly are several others that are much, much more potent, particularly your benzodiazapines.
Generally though, doctors are uneasy when a patient is off of their anti-psychotic medication unless they allowed it. Some patients go off of it because some of the side-effects are unpleasant, however, I gather your reason may be different as you said you dislike the idea of being on an anti-psychotic. Can you explain why you dislike it?
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I have gained some weight since being on the risperdal and it has been hard to get it off, even with eating right. I also thought it was only going to be a temporary thing and it has been 20months now, I don't consider this temporary. The reason why I was put on it was for bipolar rapid cycling back in 11/2009. I have been stable since 2/2010 with small med changes. I think that I may be missing my highs a little too.