Do I need the drug?

My therapist thought that I could use some help with my anxiety and depression. I got on Lexapro. Its going well, but the psychiatrist said that when she puts people on meds it is usually for a year at the minimum. I don't feel like I want or need to be on that long. I feel fine now; yet I don't know if it is b/c I am on the meds. I am thinking about just not going back for a refill and scrapping it. How do you know if you really need to be on meds? Has anyone been on meds for less than a year? Can I just stop them without having adverse effects?

warning for anti depressants and other psych meds, you're feeling better because of themedication, ifyou do off them, you'll go backinto the depression, this happens a lot and peopel get in trouble.You have to stay on the med, or discuss gettingoff ofit with your dr.

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

Please do not do that, speak to your pdoc before doing this, it can cause more problems, you may feel fine because the meds have kicked in and are working.
I too often saw people have re-lapse and it isn't productive for you to just scrap it. None of us like to take meds but if it is keeping you balanced and stuff, go with the program.
Just my 2 cents.

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

Some drugs with have adverse reactions, actually all medication will with some people. Lexapo i'm as familiar with. But if you feel that this is something you don't want to be on for long term use you need to discuss it with your doctor. You therapist might want to keep you on it, there is a chance of crashing. When I went of my meds for 3 days before I Started new ones I crashed miserably. Plus we wanted to see how i'd react to no meds after being on it for 8 years. I'm likely going to have to be on meds for depression, gad and ptsd for the rest of my life, and now i'm ok with that because if it helps me then why not.

It's best to see how it goes and talk to your doctor. Some people can get off medication and feel fine, others like me will feel horrible without it.

Something to watch for.

One thing you should never ever do is stop taking medication without your doctor knowing or giving you the ok to do so, it can be potentially dangerous and could make you crash. You are feeling fine likely cause the meds are working. But the you will likely feel more anxious and depressed if you take yourself off it because your body will be withdrawling. I wouldn't reccomend doing that without your doctors ok.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>