The pros and cons of coming off citalopram

[OinkBalloon]

I've been fighting depression on and off for years. First diagnosed as PND 15y ago, but probably depressed and undiagnosed since my teens.

3m ago I started citalopram 10mg/day. The difference has been amazing. I have had no side-effects since the first 2-3w, and even those were minor.

I was terrified of starting ADs. Now the GP is talking about coming off citalopram in 3m time. I'm terrified of coming off ADs!

Please help me think this through.

Happy pills are a crutch not a cure! Why does your GP think that your issues have been addressed so that you no longer need them? Are you on the waiting list for psychotherapy to discover the components of your state of mind? 10mg is a low dose and it is great that this suits you (often people have to try a number of different drugs before they find one that suits an are able to adjust the dose to suit.
After 3m you will only just have settled in to this prescription so it would be odd to stop such a low dose so soon. I would research others' experiences online as we now have this unprecedented way of sharing and getting a bigger picture.

Essentially you have just got settled with this dose and now need to address the issues behind your depression and learn techniques for coping with it -so what is s/he going to do about that? And btw with these drugs one never stops suddenly but always progressively.
All the best!

My counsellor told me its a minimum of six months usually for ADs and then withdrawing them over time when you are ready. My GP and I talk about it and she's happy for me to continue on them while I'm getting all my glitches worked out. Have a chat with your GP because it's your view too that counts.

I've had various talking therapies, which have all been incredibly useful and helpful.

Unfortunately I always relapse within months of ending the therapy.

GP isn't talking about stopping now, but that in 3m time we will start thinking about stopping.

That would be your minimum six months period. It's up to you too though. I've had a massive wobble this last week. I've been on 20mg for six months. I've had counselling but don't feel ready to stop them because some of the things that make me anxious and depressed aren't resolved. If you don't feel ready when it is time to start coming off them then tell your GP. They should listen.