I have been 2-3 months now off Paxil. Withdrawal was very hard. Been on it for 20yrs. I am currently on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I just started cutting my Lexapro dose in half. 20mg to 10mg. My plan is to get off all antidepressants. That way I can see if I am really still suffering from crippling anxiety and depression. I want to start with a clean slate. Actually, I'm tired of relying on medication. I did survive the first 20yrs of my life med free. Has anyone else tried getting off all antidepressants? Can it be done?

[Travelinglady]

Hi, nervousnelly14, and welcome to Psych Central! It's best to work in conjunction with your prescriber in going off of meds. But the main thing is to titrate off them slowly. Otherwise, those withdrawal effects can really be nasty.

My psychiatrist took me off my antidepressants when all the info started coming out about them causing mania in bipolars, like I am. He freaked when he even thought of patients becoming manic.

But I switched to a new psychiatrist, and now I take a small dosage of Wellbutrin in the morning and a small dose of Trazodone at night to help me sleep.

You do know that these illnesses can appear later on in life, don't you? I didn't take any such meds until I was in my late thirties/early forties. I am now almost 60.

I would like to get off my meds, too, but I know they are what is keeping me stable.

Are you getting other help in dealing with depression and anxiety, such as therapy?

Let see what other folks have to say.