Coming off SSRIs after best part of 25 years

[Undrugged]

As the title says, I’ve been on and off (but predominantly on) SSRIs now since I was 24, now nearly 50. I had a year or two off around age 27, and then again around 32 and 34 when pregnant. PND with both, second very severe and back on them quick sharp. I have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (unipolar) but I haven’t actually had an episode of depression for ten years now, despite being in the trenches of menopause.

Whilst I don’t feel guilty or bad about being on thzese meds longer term part of me wants to get off them. Whilst they have undoubtedly rounded out my anxiety, they have absolutely tanked my libido and sexual response and have made me put on weight.

Has anyone else here contemplated or even succeeded in getting off SSRIs after so long? I know about the importance of tapering but I’m am still fearful of a major relapse or rebound effects, given I’ve spent nearly half my life, and the majority of my adult life, on them.

But obv they take a while to kick in, so we need to think also about more immediate interventions. As well as the Samaritans and "phone a friend/family member" options, going to A&E and telling them you're suicidal is another option, and far more immediate. They will help. Obviously it's not ideal for you. But it's better than not being here... You are worth your place in this world, even if it doesn't feel like that right now x

LoveIsAVerb Yes collies are my favorite type of dog. The one I have now is my third collie in my life. My other dog that is still alive is a German shepherd I think. I took her from my neighbors and they still speak to me. They didn’t care for her. She’s very bright but not as bright as my collie. The dog I lost was very thick and I loved her. She came from my son’s broken relationship and was a cairn terrier. My fifth dog also came from a different neighbor who also didn’t care when I took her in. She was very thick and loved herself. She was a terrier mix. The reason I took the dogs was because they kept coming into my house and hated being sent or brought home to owners who did not care where their dog was.
your quote from Elliott is lovely, thank you. I also love words and reading and some poetry. You managed to distract me a little about the dogs thank you.

My husband had spinal fusion surgery two weeks ago. I had to do everything for Christmas and I hate Christmas. My mood plummeted the day after Christmas Day. Husband cannot drive for six weeks so it’s all on me and I’m not coping

Oh no way, that's so weird - one of my dogs is a collie/German Shepherd mix! She's the absolute best... quite suspicious of "outsiders", in that classic German Shepherd way - but she is a Romanian rescue, very badly abused as a puppy, so I don't know if her suspicion might just be PTSD... But yeah, same: she's v bright but not as bright as the full-on border collie... but also far less annoying, in that pure collie / "toddler with ADHD" way!!

Awww that's so cute how you've just rescued all these dogs!! That's just amazing. I sometimes think I'd love to open a shelter or something, but I was in Eastern Europe earlier this year in a place with so many strays, and I just cried every day... I'd just be like an open wound if I actually worked with these dogs on the daily!! Amazing that you've managed to rescue so many, though 💓See - the world needs you!! Don't you dare do anything stupid, ok?!

Poetry: YES! Poetry EXISTS for times like this!! I see it as a shot of tequila... or espresso, depending how wholesome I'm feeling, ha. Just something to strip away all the bullshit, I guess!

I'm sorry, this sounds so hard. Christmas is shit, I agree. No wonder you're feeling so down. Is there any way you can plan in some things for you? Just tiny things, could be anything? Go to a bookshop, go see a friend, go somewhere beautiful for a walk (outside your neighbourhood, if the abused animals are there)? Literally any tiny thing that could lift your spirits just a little bit? I find nature to be quite healing (God, that makes me sound like a horrendous hippie, but it's true!!). Or just watching your fave film, listening to your fave music?

I was in sertraline then citalopram for over 20 years. Decided to come off in 2017 did it over 6 months. Libido came back with avengeance so joined online dating, had a bit of fun and met my now husband.

Omg this is adorable! Congrats! 💕

God, I dread think what my libido would've been like in my 20s if I hadn't been on SSRIs. I was such an insatiable horndog... I cannot imagine how much worse (or better?!) that would've been without being chemically castrated 😂

But I think I'm a bit of an anomaly, in that SSRIs never had any impact on my sex drive (afaik, I mean I've been on them my entire adult life, who knows, really?!). Every other woman I know experienced a total decimation of libido from SSRIs.

LoveIsAVerb I like your user name. I agree love is a verb.

Ah thanks! It's from that amazing 90s tune, "Teardrop" by Massive Attack 💓