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alexandra_k said:
it is reccomended that reduction from medication be gradual. most medications have withdrawal syndromes associated with their cesation. this can be gotten around by tapering the medication down very slowly indeed. it might be that one experiences 'rebound effects' (a withdrawal syndrome basically) which, surprise surprise, typically consists in the problematic symptoms becoming more problematic than they ever were before. a lot of people give up giving up about then, thinking that this shows them what life would be like for them without meds. like any drug it takes your body some time to adjust without them, however. sometimes the million dollar question can be: are you strong enough to cope with worse feelings than you have had before while your body is withdrawing?

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alex, I think this is a very good point. I think a lot of people stop a med and feel worse right away due to withdrawal rather than actually being off the med. I think it is important to work through that withdrawal phase so you can see what being off the med is truly like without the challenging withdrawal symptoms. It takes longer than a few weeks for many meds. And yes, you are right, you must be strong enough to go through this and handle it.

SG, you have a good caution. I think it is helpful, even essential, to have the full advice and support of a doctor and therapist when scaling back or terminating one's psychoactive meds.