Is this mania and will it stop?

[CuntyBumpkin]

I have been on anti depressants for a long time. I feel stable but was feeling very numb and robotic. I hadn't cried for over a year. I didn't really feel anything.

I spoke to my GP and we agreed that I could taper them as I'm in a good place.

Since I've reduced them I am feeling what I can only describe as in fast forward.

I'm spending like it's going out of fashion (this has historically been an issue but I had it under control)
I baked a cake at midnight last night.
I didn't go to sleep at all last night.
I am sat dying my hair bright orange.

I just sat here and thought, what is going on. Then I realised it could be my meds.

Will it go away if I stick with it?
I don't feel bad. Just like a tape stuck on fast forward. My thoughts are even fast.

This is not normal withdrawal from meds.

Your actions do sound manic however the fact you can recognise that what's going on is not normal means that you are still in control/aware of things.

I am not a MH professional but have experienced medication withdrawal and, from what you've said, I'd definitely recommend that you talk to a MH professional as soon as possible.

Your lack of sleep is a massive concern as this alone can lead to other problems/behaviours.

It sounds like your cutting down too quickly and your mind needs to adjust to the change in dose at a much slower level.
If you feel safe tonight stay at home and try and sleep - but please get an emergency GP/MH appt tomorrow because what you are experiencing is not normal.

How much have you dropped the dose? Sounds like you've dropped too much.

When I came of ADs I got it in liquid form and reduced by tiny amounts over a long period of time (18 months). Probably over cautious but I didn't want any whiplash, frankly.

Get back to your GP, I should.

I'm a mental health nurse and this sounds like hypomania. Unusual for it to occur after reducing antidepressants but get to your GP. You might just be emerging from the numbing effect of long term medication but the overspending is risky as is the insomnia.

Thanks everyone for replying.

I will be calling my GP first thing.
When I asked about reducing, my GP wasn't concerned. She didn't give any advice on how to reduce.

I've gone from 100mg to 50mg and then 50mg every other day. Maybe I need to keep taking 50mg every day for a while longer.

It's scared me a bit as I haven't felt anything for so long and now I'm feeling everything at once.

I've had manic episodes and you need to take them seriously as they can spiral really quickly, my first 2 they suspect were due to anti depressants and the last one I still haven't had an 'explanation' for but it got really bad and I ended up in hospital because I didn't seek help and told myself I just needed to sleep which I couldn't manage properly because my understanding of time went to shit.

I lost my job, destroyed my finances, nearly killed people in several driving incidents and almost starved myself in a very short space of time.
I wouldn't describe the first stage as unpleasant, I looked like crap but couldn't recognise it, I knew something was amiss but couldn't judge it as detrimental because my judgement was skewed and I felt happy enough (if a little unsettled by it at times) but it went south really quickly.

Take it seriously