Giving Up Antidepressants: Important Information

For some people suffering from depression or anxiety, an antidepressant treatment is the only effective solution. Others, however, are not satisfied with the results or opt for giving up antidepressants for various reasons. If you fall into the second category, it is good to know a few useful things before stopping treatment.

First of all, it is important to weigh things well and consult a doctor before making a decision. Remember that these drugs directly affect your brain, so the changes must be kept under control.

Here are some factors to consider before deciding to give up antidepressants:

You need to work with your doctor

If you choose to give up antidepressants, it is important to talk openly with your psychologist or psychiatrist about your expectations, fears, doubts, and hopes.

It is your right, as a patient, to decide when to take or give up treatment, but a specialist can explain in detail the side effects you may face during this process.

Many people notice that they feel better and feel that they no longer need medication. Finding emotional balance justifies this decision. However, many times, the feeling of well-being is precisely the effect of antidepressants.

The doctor needs to know how and what you feel. Thus, it can tell you whether or not it is a good idea to opt for quitting antidepressants.

You may not realize if your condition is normal or if the treatment needs to be changed. The whole process takes a long time, and some people get tired of always trying new doses.

If your doctor decides that stopping treatment is the best decision, he or she will suggest a plan  to gradually reduce your antidepressants. This way, the side effects can be kept under control, and you will always enjoy the support of a specialist.

If you want to give up antidepressants because they are bothered by their side effects, the psychiatrist can offer you alternatives that fit better on your body. Explain your fears and concerns to him and tell him exactly how you feel.

It takes longer than you think for antidepressants to work

Some people go to a psychologist or psychiatrist frustrated because they have been taking antidepressants for months and have not noticed any change. Or maybe the changes are negative.

Of course, you want sadness, apathy, insecurity and all the reasons you take antidepressants to go away. In reality, these drugs do not work like a magic wand, and the situation is much more complicated than it seems.

The body needs time to adjust to a new dose. Many people expect to return to normal after only a few days of treatment. But it is necessary to understand that the specialist knows how long you need to feel better.

You should not be discouraged and try to adjust the dose on your own initiative. You can endanger your life, and side effects can get out of hand. The doctor will ask you to be patient and that is exactly what you will have to do.

Your mood will change temporarily

When you give up antidepressants without the advice of a doctor, you do not consider the possible consequences.

Numerous studies have shown that when some people stop taking antidepressants, the risk of suicidal thoughts increases. However, the link between these dangerous ideas and the abandonment of these drugs has not been 100% confirmed.

If you give up antidepressants, you have a strange condition

As mentioned above, antidepressants have a direct effect on the brain, as their role is to regulate brain function. When you give them up, this balance is affected, so you may experience the following symptoms:

• A sensation of electric shock in the head;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Sudden mood swings;
• Inability to complete simple tasks;
• Memory loss.

Each person has a different experience. You may not feel any difference in the first few days, and in the following days you may not be able to think clearly.

All the manifestations mentioned are normal, but it is best for a doctor to assess the severity of the symptoms. 

It is your right to decide if you want to give up antidepressants

People suffering from depression are fighting on several fronts. On the one hand, there is a whirlwind of emotions that overwhelm them, and on the other hand they must assimilate all the advice of doctors and the suggestions of those around them. All of these concomitant ideas can be confusing.

At some point, you may feel that you no longer have control over your own life. But you must always remember that giving up antidepressants is just your decision.