Can anyone manage coming off antidepressants after taking them for years?

[TinselandTiarasRightNow]

Hello im nearly 40 and been on them for 20 years more or less. I came off them for 2 years when ttc and It was awful. I was in an abusive marriage at the time though so didn't help. Ive tried other times but always gone back on them within weeks as I literally cannot cope with life without them. I have had a recent diagnosis of ADHD and do believe im mildly autistic but no diagnosis. Is there any chance of me ever successfuly coming off them?

From everything I have read tapering down very very slowly seems best. You may find you can reduce even if you don't entirely stop.

Im on escitalopram 10mg. I just wish I was a more laid back person.

With your recent adhd diagnosis have you tried medication?

I have heard that people with adhd can get stuck on antidepressants thinking it's the serotonin they're missing. When actually it's the dopamine missing from their brain.

I did over a period of c 18 months. From one a day to alternating one and then a half, then half each day and half every other day and so on. Luckily they were big biteable tablets. Did each stage for a few weeks/months. If I experienced a side effect I'd go back up to the previous level for a few days then try again.

I had a private diagnosis so its another 400 quid for medication ! Ideally I'd like to be med free full stop but who knows. Escitalopram can be in syrup form so I'm wondering if the GP can give me that and I can titrate it ?

Why do you want to? They obviously work for you.

They take the edge off. I just worry about what they're doing to my body tbh.