Saturday, January 1, 2011

Can my depression return if I stop my medications? I want to stop these medications because of side effects.

Unfortunately, you can rest assured you will develop some type of reaction. It could be that your depression symptoms return or you may develop withdrawal symptoms from the drug. The symptoms of depression are easy to identify, as they will be similar to what you had before. 

Drug withdrawal symptoms can vary from anxiety, flu like illness, fast heart rate, tremors, lack of sleep, sweating, and a generalized sensation of feeling unwell. These symptoms may last anywhere form 3-28 days. The symptoms are not life threatening and simply indicate that your body is now adjusting to a life without drugs in the body.
Of all anti depressants, withdrawal symptoms are most common after discontinuation of Paxil and Effexor.

It is difficult to predict who will develop these withdrawal symptoms. However, experts recommend that the best way to discontinue an anti depressant is to gradually taper the dose over a few weeks or months. If you find the symptoms of drug withdrawal unbearable, you may want to take a small dose of Prozac because it will neutralize these side effects and also diminish the signs of depression.

No comments:

Post a Comment