(((((((((((Starsdarkmind))))))))))))))))

Did you talk to your doctor about your abruptly stopping Lexapro? You really should if you haven't. ADs are NOT something you should just decide to not take - even if you don't like the side effects ... ONLY do it with a doctor's supervision, and tapering off - not just going off of it.

I've taken Lexapro, and I admit I didn't like the weight gain, and there were days I forgot to take it and they were MISERABLE. I tried stopping it cold turkey, and it was the most horrid experience I've ever gone through. But the thing was, I went directly onto another AD to deal with the side effects... which actually helped a LOT.

My advice, seriously... take the pills. Talk to your doctor. You're not doing yourself any favours by going off of it cold turkey, you risk all sorts of health problems and risk landing in hospital if you continue to not take it without tapering off. The withdrawals are bad enough tapering off it, but just quitting isn't something you want to do... people have seriously had bad health problems as a result, not to mention the fact that they can't function and the mental health effects as well... This is an antidepressant. It changes your brain chemistry. As a result, coming off of it changes your brain chemistry AGAIN ... meaning you will act crazy, your moods will be hard to handle, and in all reality ... you're not yourself coming off of them. Besides being on ADs is helpful for a lot of people because it regulates mood swings.

Withdrawal effects differ from person to person. You've been off of it for a week now ... I'd say expect another weeks worth of side effects, and chances are they're only going to get worse.

I'm not a medical doctor, but I know a thing or two about ADs since I'm now on my 3rd one ... talk to your doctor. Taper off of them, just don't decide to quit.

And honestly, losing the weight that they made me gain has been absolutely MISERABLE ... it's impossible. Coming off of the AD won't automatically make you lose the weight. You're going to have to work to take it off. And as for your sex drive... it may come back normally in time, it may not.

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but nobody should be hurting themselves like this ... withdrawal is BRUTAL and you shouldn't inflict it upon yourself if there's an easier way.