The nightmare of withdrawal, disappearing decades, and a sincere warning for you considering meds
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello,
I have been off sertraline for almost 3 weeks now. Before that I titrated down over the period of about 1 month. Withdrawal symptoms didn't start until the day after my last dose. Since then, reality has been nightmarish. I weep at the drop of a hat, have been having anxiety attacks where I feel like I am suffocating. I feel like I am just now waking up to see the horror, meaninglessness and worthlessness of life. I wish I could tell you when and if these symptoms go away... but they haven't gone away for me yet.
Regarding long term sertraline usage: I have been on SSRI's for around 15 years. in my late 20s, I was maybe mildly depressed but mainly just a little stuck.. Nothing a new job (that wasn't working me to death and under paying), perhaps a girlfriend and/or a change of scenery.. and I'd have been fine. I should have went to a job counselor or match maker rather than a psychiatrist. Instead, I took some advice form a Physician and saw a psychiatrist - the first of a few that have kept me doped up since, and who have ruined what I once looked forward to being a happy, fortunate, contributive and rewarding life. Now, for the first time off meds, waking up middle aged, unmarried, jobless, and wondering where in the hell the last couple decades went. I was never an unhappy child or young adult. Now I find myself with nothing - alone, penniless and not ruling out suicide.
Please young people, find a different treatment. Exercise, or move somewhere, or find a church, or talk to a psychologist or social worker. Stay away from these Psychiatrists and their meds, or you'll slip into a daze 1/2 your life, without even realizing it, and wake up to a nightmare worse than you can imagine.
Best of luck,
Drw
2 likes, 5 replies
meteor63 lanesorensby
Posted
drw that was a very fast taper. It may be dreadful to consider but it might be worth going back on a low dose and titrating off slower to help with the withdrawal. The surviving antidepressants website may be able to help you with this.
Lois1951 lanesorensby
Posted
louise79427 Lois1951
Posted
I am thinking of taking abilify and wondered how much you were on and any side effects?
Lois1951 louise79427
Posted
Well Abilify seemed to be helping my depression but I was constantly hungry and since I am already overweight I stopped it.
Gaining weight was definitely not going to help my depression problem!
However, if you can take it I think it is worth a shot as many people do very well on it.
I am now on Effexor and it works great for me. Take care. / Lois
louise79427 Lois1951
Posted