Antidepressants

I was going through a hard time a couple of weeks ago and my GP increased my dose of Venlafaxine 37.5mg twice a day to 75.5mg modified release. For the last year or so I had been getting by one 37.5mg once a day and things were okay. I have to be honest, a lot has gone on. However, I want to get off of antidepressants. I am a creative person and as someone who has been on them for nearly 2 years, I feel like they are just making more and numb every day. I have spoken to family but they seem to be reluctant to support my decision to withdraw as they said the tablets keep one level. Please can someone offer some advice?

[Hidden]

If you feel withdrawing is absolutely the best thing for you, instead of your family, I would be consulting with the doc again. If you and the doc both feel that it’s in your best interest to try with out meds, he needs to give you a tapering plan.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!

[Dolphin14]

I agree with RoxieDawn. This discussion is between you and your MD. Friends and family may have opinions and suggestions. This decision requires a medical discussion.

You and your MD need to discuss. Based on that discussion an action plan can be made that you both agree on.

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Thanks both!

[Dolphin14 in reply to Hidden]

Best of luck to you

[opinkie33]

As a healthcare provider and a person who have dealt with depression since I was a teenager, I can say one thing I know to be true. A pill will not save you and neither will withdrawing from the world, because I have tried both. I learned the hard way that a pill will not rescue me. I had to rescue myself with the aid of CBT, medication, and the desire to get better. You may have to try several different types of anti-depression medication before you find the right one that works for you. You also have to be honest about your self. Start a journal and ask your self, what is causing my depression and truthfully try to answer that question. Try to get back in the main stream of life with baby steps. Something really small and then ask yourself. Was this a good experience or a bad experience? Write down what was good about it and what was bad about it. Do not share your journal with anyone else. This is you helping your self. Also please find a good CBT therapist and a group to join for depression. If you don't feel comfortable with that therapist, move on and find one that is a good fit for you. Life is for the living. Life will pass you by if you are not a part of it. So you are here, still alive so you might as well get on with the living. I mean what else do you have to do that is so important than you. I learned all this the hard way. TED talk is a good place to start. You might say to yourself, I am not like them, I have so many problems, Well guess what, so do they. No one have a perfect life. People learn how to have a happy life and take their pain, depression or grief right alone with them. Because, believe me, I am still grieving my losses, and I will never forget the loss I experienced, but I am still moving forward. I hope I have been helpful.

[Billsfriend]

Yes, this definitely helps, I don't totally agree with everything you say, but I think it is wise to follow everything you said to make recovery easier and faster.