For Those Who've Taken Anti-depressants

Have you considered that you're able to cope and doing so well because you're still on the Celexa?

You won't know until you try. I've learned after trying to wean off several times in the past, that I have a 'clinical' depression, which basically means I'll likely be on them the rest of my life.

I really think that people can successfully get off of them, with a good diet, healthy habits, and counseling can help a bunch. You should just try and see how it goes.

Make sure you tell your doctor though, they like to wean you off, not stop suddenly.

Good luck!

This is something you talk with your doctor about.

I am also on Celexa.
I know the withdraws are no joke. I didnt get my script filled for two days and didnt notice a difference, so I was thinking I was just going to stop taking it. Day 3 and 4 hit me like a ton of bricks!
Definitely talk to your doctor about proper weaning of the medication.

I think it's great that you want to stop taking the meds. But do it carefully, talk to your doctor, look for herbal substitutions, have a go to person ready, exercise. Since we know depression is anger turned inward toward ourselves, dealing with it is dealing with anger, sometimes deep seated and of forgotten origin. This messes with our brain chemicals and depression hits us. There are several natural and herbal rememdies that work wonders some have side effects some do not. And like medications they effect people differently.
As a go to person I mean having someone who you can call anytime anywhere if or when the symtoms start.
Exercise is a proven help for depression. When we work out we increase the endorphins in our brains and that makes us feel better.
Good luck I hope it works for you.

I was on antidepressants a long time ago. I went on them when I was so depressed I could barely ever stay awake, and I had nothing but anger, hate, sadness, nightmares, etc. I had a completely skewed and dark view of the world and didn't even perceive the spiral I was on until I was at the bottom of it (and then I was dragged kicking and scraming into intervention by others). Once I improved on the antidepressants, I was able to think clearly and change my outlook and my life. I changed my situation and my views. I went off of them and did fine, and have never gone back on them in the past 20 years and never will.

You need a clear understanding of what type of depression you have, and what type of person you are, your belief systems, etc. You need an expert's help. If it is sheerly and severely chemical, you cannot control it yourself, and you will end up back on the meds, so it may be best not to interrupt them. If you just needed a boost, and now you are willing to see your life differently even WITH the remaining challenges, then you will be fine without them. Sort of the "some people lose their whole family in a tragic accident and go on to be uplifting, giving, happy people who help others, and some people can't handle any stress at all without getting depressed" thing. It could be chemical, it could be outlook or both. You need to know yourself.

My depression was caused by an overbearing situation outside of myself and my own lack of perspective and coping skills. It was also a bit chemical, I still have to "work hard" to stay positive, I'm a depressive type, but I did a spiritual overhaul and fortunately I didn't have such a severe chemical imbalance that I could not overcome my own obstacles once I got healthy again and employed new ways of thinking.

Were your son's medical conditions the TOTAL CAUSE of your depression? Or are you depressed easily regardless of what's happening in your life? If you were fine before, very likely you will be fine again.

Get good help from those who know you. Good luck!

Don't just quit cold turkey. Like B said, talk with your doctor.

The word is "titrate" - when a doctor slowly eases the dosage up or down to allow your brain chemistry to adjust to the changes in the medication. Talk to the doc who prescribed your medication. The only way you should consider stopping is if you're on the lowest dosage possible. My daughter has been on a few different kinds of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers and it took us a long time to find the right medication, dosage & combination. She is on a combination of two drugs that are not at all what she began with and they are working wonderfully. I think at some time in the next 6 - 12 months the doc will be dropping back on one or the other medication to see how she responds. The goal is to be off all the medication in the future - but the last thing she needs is to stop all together and relapse! I would not want to go back to that place!

You are doing great because you are on the meds and the are working. It's a common problem, people think "hey, I don't need it anymore!", so they go off, and have the depression issues again. This is something you need to discuss with your Ddr, anti depressants need to be carefully weaned off of as serious consequences can arise if you do not do it correctly. I know, I was on Paxil several years ago and self-weaned, with disastrous results. If the depression was situational (tragedy/stress that caused the depression), than you can likely wean with great results. If it is an actual hormonal imbalance, than you likely need to stay on them.

If you decide to stop taking your medications, you need to work on finding an alternate way to cope with your symptoms of depression. Therapy, hobbies, excersize, journaling, socializing, etc..I would discuss this with your Psychiatrist, as it is always wise to involve them. It is never a good idea to just quit your meds altogether. The side effects alone could do lots of harm. Your Psychiatrist will most likely wean you off slowly if you feel that you are well equipped to handle your depression without medication.

I was on Paxil for social anxiety for two years. I weaned off , probably took about two months to stop the medication entirely.

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Talk with whomever is prescribing the Celexa; don't do it on your own. You want someone monitoring you who might be able to observe changes in you that you might miss. Generally, if you have been in remission (without depressive symptoms) for greater than a year, it is safe ti try to taper off. Generally to taper, you cut the dose in half and wait a few months; if your symptoms don't recur, you can try stopping altogether. This is how I manage patients in my psychiatric practice.