How to get off antidepressants?

[rheannap]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with depression about 8 months ago (for a reason still unknown to myself!)

I was given 20mg citalopram, which had no effect, so doctor upped it to 30mg. The last few weeks I have been trying to get myself off the tablets. I do think they helped, but I never wanted to be on antidepressants, I don't think I'm depressed anymore.

However since lowering my dose (to 10mg most days), I can't stop crying, I get angry, I just want to crawl into bed and sleep, I get headaches and feel drunk.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about coming off antidepressants?? I feel like the longer I stay on them the harder it will be to come off ?!

all help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

It sounds like you have a bit of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Stopping SSRI's can cause withdrawal symptoms in some people, especially if done too quickly.

You said you went up to 30mg and then you didn't feel depressed anymore. It worked.

Talk to your doctor about doing a taper if you want to, but follow your current instructions until you do. The yo-yo up and down dosing is really not going to do you any good.

Hi
You need to do if very slowly,

So if you were on
30mg day, I’d drop to 25mg for 2-4 weeks
25mg 2-4 weeks
20mg 2-4 weeks
15mg 2-4 weeks
10mg 2-4 mg
5mg 2-4 weeks
2.5mg 2-4 weeks
And if you can 1.25mg 2-4 weeks

I’d personally do the 4 weeks, but it’s upto you, a drop from 30mg to 10mg is far to much to lower. That’s why your having withdrawal SE

Take it back upto 30mg, and try the above, it will take a while but it’s better than being like you are.

I agree. Too big a drop, too quickly. You have to do it slowly.

Ok, thanks all.
I'm jiust worried I'll be stuck on them forever!