I am a chronic med ditcher, almost never with pdoc consent. Because I never considered the consequences I really can't say how it's affected me throughout my life. However when I was on Effexor as a teen. I stayed on it for two years because stopping it made me physically ill - dizziness, brain zaps, headache, nausea. Halfway through senior year I figured out I could wean off by taking it evey other day, then I stopped. According to my journal I fell into a hopeless deep depression that I did not recognize at the time but is very clear in my writing.

I was med free for a long time before last year. Then I stopped the abilify on my own but kept the Prozac - horrible choice! Worst manic/mixed/psychotic episode of my life.

I've gone on and off the trileptal three times, up and down dose, went off the Seroquel on my own...I just don't trust doctors and don't think they have my best interests in mind. Nor do I want medication. Right now I'm on it but now that I feel better I may drop it again.

I'm not recommending people follow my lead. Ideally you should have a doctor's approval and guidance. But you can also check out the Icarus project online.