to want to get off my antidepressants asap after this evening’s Panorama?

[GeraniumGirl]

Anyone else feel the same after watching the programme tonight?

I was once asked if I couldn’t control my underactive thyroid with diet rather than taking thyroxine…….

So sorry for your loss @PartyRingy

Have you been offered any bereavement counselling or just the ADs?

Nope. Won't be giving up sertraline. Came off it for 6 plus months - no side effects. But didn't like myself. I was bitchy, bad tempered, irritable, deliberately mean and argumentative. Dh and kids noticed it. Just like inwas before I started it years ago. I'm just a better person taking it

@Mirabai
"Well yeah that’s a. because you’ll die and b. there is no doubt as to the efficacy of insulin."
Diabetes is a medical contrition that can be controlled by insulin so that diabetics can live happy healthy productive lives.
Depression is a medical condition that can be controlled by anti depressants so that people with depression can live happy healthy productive lives.

@Sarahtm35 have you any idea how offensive and dangerous that post is? I presume you don't, or you wouldn't have posted it. Think yourself Lucy that neither you, or anyone you love has experienced real mental health problems.

Mine also saved my life. Citilopram 20mg. I would love to come off them but last time I tried I was unwell mentally and had the most awful knee pains. I don’t know what to do and my GP isn’t much help.

I've suffered from depression since being a teenager and have had horrific withdrawal effects whenever Ive come off them ( on my 3rd antidepressant just now). I eventually got diagnosed bipolar 6 years ago.
I'm feeling the best ive felt since being a 19 years old! I started reducing my anti depressant 3 weeks ago. I had to ask my GP to refer me to see a psychiatrist but she didn't so It had to phone psychiatrist's secretary myself. MY husband is livid. I feel they've kept me alive on at least 2 occasions.
.i was first offered them when I was 18 [ my mum was fighting a losing battle with breast cancer)
I've had a GP say " i wouldn't prescribe this antidepressant to anyone!" Well, his wife { also a GP} had prescribed it to me years before!
Solidarity folks.

@Underminer Why do you want to stop taking it?

@GeraniumGirl I saw that programme this evening and was surprised to learn that some people take AD for ADHD and OCD so they're not specifically for depression then. Also, 1 in 7 people are on them which seems high. I can't see how long term use can be good / effective for anyone after watching that. It was interesting about low serotonin not being linked to depression now. It could be for other non related reasons. Were you prescribed them for depression/ anxiety originally? You're best to have a proper discussion with your GP and go from there...

OP, I think this show has ramped up your anxiety unnecessarily.

I'm on Citalopram for anxiety and anic attacks. I know it works for me and frankly, I don't care if some say it's a placebo effect ot about long term side effects or weaning off it.

Why would I wean off if it genuinely helps me live a better, more balanced life every day?

Why would I make myself struggle daily without it again? The level of stress and worry I was under (and still am), and my reactions to it weren't healthy. They were affecting my physical health too and longer term they would have likely led to serious illnesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance, obesity and everything that comes with it due to emotional binging, digestive system issues, the list goes on and on.

I need to feel better to live a better life. I need medical to make me feel better because other things such as CBT, exercise, yoga etc didn't cut it. They've only started working for me few months after I started on Citalopram. I have no doubt that Citalopram gave me more peace of mind and motivation/self belief to do the right things for me in the first place. I therefore do not worry that in 15 years time I may develop an illness. This would have pretty much certainly happened to me had it not been for Citalopram. I don't even know if I'll live long enough to ever develop an associated illness. I don't know if I ever develop it at all. So I don't worry now. I know my life is better and healthier now thanks to Citalopram. Would I wean off? Maybe one day if I feel I don't need it anymore. Maybe not.

I think it's important to take a step back and think about the pros and cons holistically and not let someone else's opinions affect what's right for you. 💐

@GeraniumGirl I just want to give you some hope. I've felt as low as you twice in my life but my kids, partner and Dad all gave me a reason to keep on going. Speak to someone you trust- a friend, family member,nurse, GP . the samaritans.
You deserve to be well.

Why are you being so condescending? This person is perfectly within their rights as a human being to have their own thoughts on this subject. I’m struggling terribly but can’t take antidepressants and this person’s understanding has actually gelled with me.

I don’t know really. I have been on it for years and would like to be able to live without it but I probably can’t.

Thank you @islandofserenity, that is really kind of you.

@Fluffylittlepup "Why are you being so condescending?"

I'm not being condescending. I am saying that telling people with serious mental health issues that they Donny need their medication-they just need to spend time in the open air is offensive and dangerous.

All of these pills, they'll have an effect on you. Of course they will. They're psychotropic substances.

That doesn't mean you're ill. Psychotropic substances affect everyone.

Some of those effects are good, some of them are bad. Again, it doesn't mean you're ill.

How can you be? I mean, really how can you be mentally ill? Your mind isn't a physical entity. Your brain is, but your mind isn't. Your mind is your thoughts. How can your thoughts be ill? You can't quantify a mind.

You don't deserve to suffer!

A {male} friend came off Prozac a few years ago incredibly slowly - literally shaving bits off the pill with a razor blade- and he did manage to come off without the withdrawals.

Some people are helped with anti depressants- If you find they are working for you, no reason to come off them until you feel absolutely ready to- and then, do it slowly.

I took Mirtazapine for six months after a sudden bereavement. They did absolutely nothing for my low mood, although they did have a strong sedative effect and I slept well, though obviously had to be taken at night.

That wasn’t the full extent of their message though and I can see you’ve not really read mine. Never mind.

If you choose to come off citalopram do so very slowly.

I was on 40mg and came off 5mg per month. Used a very sharp blade to cut up 10mg tablets into 4.

I had no withdrawal symptoms compared to coming off under doctor advice (oh, just reduce by 10mg a week, you'll be fine!) which was utterly awful.

This was 4 years ago, after having been on 40mg for 8 years.

Thank you, that is really helpful. I have ordered a pill splitter now.

- If you find they are working for you, no reason to come off them until you feel absolutely ready to

Yeah no reason at all.

Apart from it maybe not being a great idea to take psychotropic substances that have a profound effect on metabolism, long term.

Makes me laugh, all this crap about how terrible a curse obesity is while at the same time the NHS is pumping people full of metabolism slowing drugs because apparently feeling sad is now an illness.

You’re starting to sound a bit bonkers yourself now

<shrug>

None of what I'm saying is untrue. If you can't make sense of it, maybe examine yourself.

Good luck GeraniumGirl, I really wish you well. There’s so much great support on here and elsewhere if you feel like you’re struggling.