Finally off antidepressants after six years and feeling quietly proud

[RowsOfFlowers]

Hello!
I know this is a bit random, but it’s not a topic I speak openly about with many friends or family.
however, I am finally anti-depressant free after 6 years 🤩
I don’t feel it’s something we openly celebrate in society. I have no children and no other achievements as of late really, so this is huge for me 🥳

Wishing everyone a great day. 🩷🩷🩷

Congratulations OP x

Well done you.

Well done. However, keep in the back of your mind that you might need them again in the future AND THAT IS NOT A FAILURE!!!!!

I think that’s awesome and should be celebrated!!
Continue to look after yourself!! ❤️❤️❤️

@RowsOfFlowers well done its an amazing achievement 🫂💐🙏❣️

Absolute congratulations! I'm trying to come of Olanzapine after 15 years of it. I am cross tapering to another with hopefully less side effects, but even that has been really difficult. I really admire you coming off your medication completely. How did you find it?

Well done! I was on them from 1995 to 2017 after PND then dealing with a sick and dying husband. I realised I needed to come off them as I was so numbed by them. Never looked back.

That's a brilliant achievement. Well done.

Congratulations. 😄
I once told a locum doctor that I was feeling better and I'd like to come off them. He pointed out that I had agreed with the regular GP that I'd stay on round the winter and into the next year.He said that they find that if you come off too soon you might dip again, so I stayed on round that winter.
Did you read anything about depression? I found some books quite helpful, without having to read every word. I was given 6 weeks of counselling,too, on the NHS. It was some years ago.

Brilliant news. Well done you! Yes theres lots of important events and milestones we dont celebrate. And as a previous poster has said, if you ever need them again its not failure they're an aid to keep you as steady as possible x

@CurlewKate & @LadyLolaRuben

Yes, you’re so right - I may need them again in the future and it’s absolutely not a failure to be on them either 😊 it’s just quite difficult coming off at times I think. I thought I’d need them for life. X

So I actually work in mental health myself and have several degrees. That being said, I still suffered which I think was down to a number of factors I won’t go into. I’ve tried many things over the years including counselling, exercise, etc. I think I’ve just got myself into a position in life where things have been pretty stable. I know it sounds a bit dull, but a lot of my coping skills are quite boring. Nothing fancy. Just staying consistent, and things have fallen into place after a turbulent few years. Looking forward to the future. I never thought I’d be off them, so it feels good. I also feel much better able to support others with the journey too 😊 much love to you!!

Hello 👋 couldn’t not reply! I wish you so well with coming off. It’s not easy. And I think with olanzipine it might even be slightly more of a challenge due to the nature of it. What are you cross tapering with? Take it nice and slow. Make sure your life is stable and you’re looking after yourself with your other habits is my best advice. Happy to share further if that’s a help to you but I do think it’s a personal journey, so you must find what works for you. You can do it! And hey, if you don’t manage to, that’s also fine. That’s what I said to myself too. Tonnes of compassion to you!

Well done! As someone trying to lower my dose this is really heartening to hear about. And I know that it’s not easy to tell people irl.

Thank you! I’m so glad it’s offered some comfort/hope to you. It can be done 😊 Yep, a bit frowned upon to speak about in real life at times! Thank god for anonymous forums !

Well done @RowsOfFlowers , I’ve been on and off Citalopram for 18 years. I may well go on them again, and it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a nice feeling being anti depressant free. I found addressing the depression and anxiety that made me need an anti depressant key. My longest break was eight years. Good luck, eat well, rest, little exercise, and enjoy life. But like a PP rightly says, it’s not a failure to want help with an AD in the future. We’re all wired differently, and life can be brutal sometimes x

Could I ask what anti depressant you were on? I've recently come off sertraline after being on it for 8 years and would like to know how long and what is normal before your emotions feel settled so to speak!

This is so true, if MH was treated as part of life, with no stigma, many more people would seek help earlier and struggle alone less often.

Absolutely. It needs to be as normalised as poor physical health!

I was taking Venlafaxine (It’s an SNRI£ - I had tried sertraline and citalopram before (SSRIs) but they didn’t do much for me.

Thank you @Middlemarch123 I am glad they’ve been helpful to you over the years. Exactly, I may go on them again in the future, but I’m looking forward to a break for now. Well done to you too!

Hi, Thanks so much for your reply. I don't want to hijack your thread and achievement so I won't explain, but just wanted to say thanks. x Still well impressed by you and you should feel very proud of yourself! 😀

Haha it’s no prob at all, I don’t see it as hijacking!
thanks again!