How Quickly Can You Take Yourself Off Antidepressant+?

[Ms Sunshine]

I have taken anit-depressants for years and they just do not help. I am taking prozac and lamictal and would like to get off of them. That is the only way I know to see if they really help. I believe that our doctors are over medicating us and I would like to try it on my own. If I cut back a little over a weeks time, should that be ok?I

I am not going to my doctor right now and they don't do anything but add another pill if you tell them you are not doing well. What do you think. Please don't everyone tell me to talk to my doctor because I have tired and he will never let me off them. he just keeps changing them and nothing works.

[Carolina Sunshine]

My sister is a nurse and she says if you insist on taking yourself off of any medicine without discussing it with your doctor, you need to give yourself 30 days. Just gradually cut back a little each week so it can slowly get out of your system

However, it will probably be 3 months before all traces are gone and you can tell a difference. If you do get off and start feeling bad, you really do need to discuss it with your doctor. There may be some things you have not tried yet that would work. And he really needs to know you are not taking your medication in the event you should experience some side effects. It is a very serious thing to do.

Although, anti-depressants are not normally addictive like pain medications and anti-anxiety medication. Do not stop any ot those without your doctor supervising you.

Be careful and hope it works for you. I do agree that we are all over medicated and we know our bodies better than anyone else.

[Ginger R]

all I can tell you is from my own personal experience.

Was put on anti depressants, don't think highly of the doc.
I started having vision problems and stopped taking the meds. I wanted to see if they were the cause and if my vision would clear up....well!

I went down soo fast...I didn't even understand it. Ended up in a suicide attempt...I believe was caused by stopping the meds so quickly.

I f I were you....go to a regular GP, tell him what you want to do, but that you want to do it safely. See if he will guide you through it. I really don't recommend you do it all alone.