Quitting antidepressants

They may also experience disturbing thoughts or images. Certain antidepressants have a side effect profile that causes cognitive impairment. Typically, the drug is out of your system weeks after stopping, but effects can linger for months.

Stopping antidepressants such as bupropion ( Wellbutrin ) that do not affect serotonin systems — dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — seems less troublesome over all, although some patients develop extreme irritability. You may feel like you have the flu (sluggish with a headache and nausea), have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and experience anxiety and even thoughts of suicide.

Antidepressant withdrawal can make you feel edgy and out of sorts. For some, the symptoms can be very similar to the ones. Recognize the risk of suddenly stopping your meds. Expect side effects if you suddenly stop taking your meds. Insomnia or vivid dreams.

Flu-like symptoms, including achy muscles and chills. Electric shock sensations.

Return of depression symptoms. There are four ways to distinguish antidepressant withdrawal from any problem that might have led to treatment in the first instance. They are usually mild and go away within about two weeks.

Depression and mood swings. Symptoms can include: Anxiety. Dizziness and balance problems , possibly vertigo. Within three days I could already feel. These days were horrific with the scale of my physical withdrawal symptoms.

My physical withdrawal symptoms finally started to ease. Give antidepressants a chance. Know what affects your taper. Remember that tapering can take time. Keep healthy habits as you taper.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Ask family and friends for support.

The reasons for wanting to quit an antidepressant are varied. In Clarke’s case, it was simply confronting the fact that he didn’t want to rely on a pill for the rest of his life. Others move on because of common side effects, including feeling “like a zombie,” their libido disappearing or mood swings. I realize no time is completely without stress, but some are packed with it — like after a divorce, family death.

If you have experienced side effects like brain shakes or brain zaps after stopping antidepressants or the symptoms have returne don’t give up on treatment. It is possible to treat your depression without brain zaps, without medication. Some of the symptoms from quitting antidepressants can include: Fever. Many people do get their depression under control with the right treatment. I had to drop out of school,” she said.

For some people, discontinuation symptoms can feel as if their depression or anxiety is coming back, and indee stopping your antidepressant may increase your risk of relapse. Success stories: Recovery from withdrawal.