How do you know when to come off antidepressants ?

[habibihabibi]

If you have taken anti depressants and they worked with no major side effects how long did you continue them ?
Obviously taking medical advice into account but just curious to know when you felt it was time to come off them ?

It has usually been when external circumstances have changed, usually me getting a handle on factors that were making things worse. This is less easy now we have covid so I would say wjen i feel I have coping strategies and do them regularly/mental resilience. Plus when been stable for a while.

I know this sounds weird (and probably wrong!) but the right time is when I start to forget to take them - and not just the odd one, but several days at a time. I then have to set alarms to remember to take them and speak to the GP about a withdrawal plan.

icecream Covid was probably what tipped the mental health scales for many including myself.
Effectively it has locked many doors that lead to happiness.

I don’t think there is a time to come off them. For me, having found the right dosage and combination that makes me feel normal and able to live and not just exist, I think I’ll be on them forever

At least 6 months after you first think it's a good idea and still OK with nothing going wrong.

For me, this has never happened so sticking with them.

I'd say you want a good year of stability before you start tapering them down. Go very gradually, allowing weeks between each drop in dosage.