Here are some leading tips to reduce antidepressant discontinuation symptoms. These are not meant to make up medical advice, however are rather concepts from practicing psychopharmacologists that you can go over with your own physician. You must never ever terminate a medication without your doctor’s permission and assistance.
How To Stop Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms
What is Depression?
Depression is a state of mind disorder that causes a persistent feeling of despair and loss of interest. Likewise called significant depressive condition or depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have problem doing normal daily activities, and often you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.
More than simply a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you cannot simply “snap out” of it. Depression might need long-lasting treatment. But don’t get dissuaded. The majority of people with depression feel better with medication, mental therapy or both.
Symptoms of Depression
Although depression may happen just one time during your life, generally individuals have multiple episodes of depression. During these episodes, symptoms take place most of the day, nearly every day and might include:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, vacuum or hopelessness.
- Angry outbursts, irritation or aggravation, even over small matters.
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in most or all normal activities, such as sex, pastimes or sports.
- Sleep disturbances, including sleeping disorders or sleeping excessive.
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small jobs take additional effort.
- Changes in cravings– frequently decreased cravings and weight loss, however increased yearnings for food and weight gain in some people.
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness.
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body language.
- Feelings of insignificance or regret, focusing on previous failures or blaming yourself for feats that aren’t your duty.
- Trouble thinking, focusing, making decisions and keeping in mind feats.
- Frequent or persistent ideas of death, self-destructive thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide.
- Unusual physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.
For many people with depression, symptoms normally are severe sufficient to cause visible problems in daily activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Other individuals might feel typically miserable or dissatisfied without truly understanding why.
A Single Dose of Prozac (Fluoxetine)
According to Dr. Ivan Goldberg: “The administration of a single 20 mg capsule of fluoxetine normally does the job. The withdrawal symptoms are relieved within hours and the patient goes through a sluggish fluoxetine withdrawal that is typically symptomless. If the person had been on a high dose of paroxetine or venlafaxine, a 2nd 20 mg of fluoxetine might be required.”
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over the counter allergy medication that has been reported to help with discontinuation symptoms.
Taper Off Slowly
Gradually reducing your dose over an extended time period is preferable to quitting “cold turkey.”
Switch to an SSRI or Effexor (If Already Using an SSRI)
From Dr. Ivan Goldberg: “There is no risk of such withdrawal symptoms when going between SSRIs or in between an SSRI and venlafaxine. You can go from fluoxetine to just about anything, however an MAOI, and not worry due to the fact that of that drug’s long half-life.”
Use Prozac as Your Antidepressant
Because Prozac has a very long half-life, extreme withdrawal symptoms are not likely with it. There is an integrated in “tapering off” by virtue of that it leaves your body so slowly.
Keep a Regular Schedule with Dosing
Particular antidepressants, such as Effexor, may cause withdrawal symptoms even if you are a little late with a scheduled dosage. Keeping a routine schedule can help you avoid these symptoms.
