[tautologic]

My husband has been on various medications for the past 8 years for depression and anxiety. In August he took himself off of one of them and in December the rest. His Pdoc helped him wean off the second one although I do not know if this was recommended by her or that she helped because he was determined to do it. Either way, he is no longer on any medications. In his opinion he is "thinking clearly for the first time in a long time" due to being off meds.

Now I have read alot on this subject and realize it is common for people to want to stop meds. My question is how feasible is it that he truly doesn't need them? Because in my perspective he is worse off now than he has been in a long time behavioraly and emotionaly. But he of course thinks he is doing brilliantly.

[DePressMe]

I struggle with staying on my meds. Sometimes, when I quit them, it takes awhile for me to understand that the lack of meds is causing me problems. It helps if somebody points it out to me in a clear manner. I don't really know what else you can do other than explain to him how he has gotten worse. I am glad you are asking these questions and trying to support him. I wish you luck.

[Brian37]

I quit my Citalopram right before Christmas....the first week i was fine.....then I went downhill.........now im back on......guess i need
the extra serotonin kickers still

[unhappymandi]

ive read the package inserts and they all have said things like that the patient should be reevaluated in x amount of time to see if the med is still beneficial.

sometimes the affliction is healed because the brain has learned to fucntion through the use of the meds. maybe like a tutor... who catches the child up to the reading level and he doesnt even need a tutor anymore. in fact then the tutor would hinder other parts of development. maybe it is the same with medication.

and they don't call it "practicing" medicine for no reason.

[ECHOES]

After a dozen years on SSRI's I took myself off. I felt emotionally numb. I wanted to see what was there underneath.

I found different and better therapy and go more often than I ever did. I am now learning about dealing with the 'what's underneath'.

I do have Xanax for when the anxiety gets unbearable and keeps me from being able to sleep.

My diagnosis has been adjusted/changed also. I never thought that depression/anxiety quite told the whole story, fully described my feelings, moods, and behaviors. After a lot of reading, including "I Hate You... Don't Leave Me" and especially "Get Me Out of Here", I suspected Borderline Personaltiy Disorder. A few weeks ago I asked my psychotherapist if she thought BPD described me and she said yes that she had thought that for some time (we've been in therapy for almost a year). I don't think labels/diagnoses are too important, but it feels good in a way because I just never felt that depression/anxiety quite fit.

I didn't know when I went off my meds what would happen but I was ready.

A great psychotherapist is a must; I hope he's working with one.

No meds means dealing with feelings I have supressed for a long time. It's very hard sometimes but it's what I want to do.

He may need some time to just 'be' for a while, to see for himself how he is and what works and what doesn't.

[(JD)]

If you are already seeing evidences that he is worse, and he won't accept that, then begin a journal and keep track. Maybe once you have things written and notated date and time, it will be overwhelming evidence to him that he does need meds.

There are many ppl who, after SLOWLY weaning off their antidepressants, find they don't need them any more. But this is a process over many months or even years, and often with talk therapy to help them learn how to handle life's issues.

I just wish people would realize that it's no sin to need medication. We are human beings and thus require accurately firing systems, which includes brain chemicals. That anything, anyone, can have misfirings and need assistance is no fault of anyone, and nothing to be ashamed about. Few people have such inferior feelings with regards to having to take allergy shots/meds or such.

I hope he sees the light before something serious occurs that is difficult to reinstate. TC

[ickydog2006]

I quit Wellbutrin because I felt like i was two different people off and on meds. It took about 6 months before I realized I wasn't doing okay without meds and I didn't go back on meds until a year after i quit. I talked to the doctor about what I had been feeling though concerning meds and they had me try Zoloft and it has worked out really well for me. I've been on it for a year now, and it saddens me to think at times I may never be okay without meds, but I like this one a lot better because it has helped me control the anxiety without numbing my emotions.

[BalishBun]

Im going onto my 9th week of zoloft, and hearing about all the withdrawls and such I kind of get a little scared at the thought of what I might have to go through while my body adjusts to being without the drug. I mean 9 weeks isnt a long time, but it still could cause withdrawls i would think.