I want to stop taking anti-depressants - what else can I try?

[WannaStop]

I'm a regular poster, just changed my name for this one.

I've been on ads for nearly a year, I'm coming off them at the moment because they haven't been working and I'm meant to be starting another brand but really don't want to. I've been coming off the first lot for three or four days and already I feel clearer-headed than I have for months, and as I think the ads have actually been making my depression worse, I want to come off them altogether.

I had been happy with the idea of trying a different ad, but coming off the first one has made me realise just how much they have been clouding my mind - it's as if the clouds have lifted. The problem is, I don't think that the depression has gone away, and while I don't want to do ads anymore, I want to try and keep the depression at bay. If I need to go back on them then I will, but I'd like to try another way first.

I know that St John's Wort is meant to be good, has anyone had any positive results from it? Is there anything else I can try?

Anyone?

Hi wannastop - I don't think I can be much help really cos i've just started on Anti Ds - however - Queenflounce recommended Sepia (homeopathic) to me so perhaps chat to her about that - usually around in the week - but you probably know that if you are a regular

Sorry, can't be more help!

Thank you Sax. I just thought that there were bound to be some people here who had tried alternatives to ads, and it was worth asking for input rather than going back to the GP and being talked out of trying.

Message withdrawn

I'm coming off them as my GP advised, so I'm coming off them slowly, I just don't want to start taking the new ones. I had awful side effects to start with on the old ones, and I'm getting side effects from withdrawing as well, and I just don't want to go through it again. I really feel that I've been worse since starting the ads than I was before, so just feel I've got nothing to lose by trying to cope without them. If I start to feel bad again, I will start the new ads.

I have seen my GP and a psychiatrist about the depression, and neither are keen on alternative therapies or treatments, so I'm not too happy involving either of them in the decision, to be honest. I'd rather just present them with a fait accompli, there's no chance of them talking me out of it then.

Message withdrawn

I don't really know what would be for the best. I just want to feel better, and the ads seem to have made me worse. I know there are other types to try but I just don't think I can stand the thought of having to keep going from one to another and still not feeling better.

Message withdrawn

Started on Fluoxetine, then Citalopram, and now I'm meant to be starting Venlafaxine.

Message withdrawn

Venlafaxine isn't an SSRI or a tricyclic. It's an SSNI (selective seratonin and norpinefrine (sp?) inhibitor, or something) and is bicyclic.

Message withdrawn