[circles5]

Hi,
A friend of mine has severe Body Dysmorphic Disorder. She is on a fairly high dose of Sertraline, probably the maximum allowed.

She hasn't been taking it for nineteen days, but will be getting more from her doctor soon.
It's just a G.P she'll be seeing though and i know they'll just put her back on it and tell her not to do it again e.t.c..
My friend doesn't seem to find it helps much, would now be an advisable time to try a different med?
I would assume with that length off time of it she'll have to re-adjust back onto sertraline - i doubt she'll be at the level of therapeutic effectivness after a few doses back on it..

My friend is getting 'brain zaps' and heavy headed. But from my recollection the worst of it is over after 3 weeks. (i always cold-turkeyed my ssris as i couldn't stand to be on them any longer)
I'm not sure what to advise her, i'm trying to stay impartial - i really dislike SSRIs but then; they never worked for me just gave me side effects.
But she hasn't got a psychiatrist or mental health team currently, just a G.P which is why i'm asking for advise.

Regards,
C5

[*Laurie*]

Going cold turkey is unwise and can be dangerous or even life-threatening. One of the things that going cold turkey can do is affect heart rhythm.

Your friend needs to speak with her doctor...it would be excellent if she could see a psychiatrist.

[possum220]

Meds affect each of us differently. Some people can go cold turkey and others will find they have difficulty doing this. It also depends on the dose and the length of time that a person has been on the medication.

Wise to go back on? Maybe a very small dose might ease the brain zaps but it really is best to see the doctor and let them know why she stopped taking it.