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medication withdrawals

talithaCasual Contributor

medication withdrawals

I was on antidepressants for 7 years. I was then put on on an antipsychotic for 13 years. I was being treated for 'major depression'. I decided to stop taking those medications 4 months ago. I am now suffering terrible withdrawal symptoms including sleeping disorders, sweating, tongue pain, just being mentally and physically unwell. Is anyone else experiencing the same problems and how long does it last? The new gp I've been seing hasn't be of any help.

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In response to: medication withdrawals

Alix_ClaireCasual Contributor

Re: medication withdrawals

That is sadly a common experience. Honestly, I don’t understand why GPS have authority to diagnose mental health problems and prescribe heavy complicated medications. Patients who go to a GP for anything other than "general" health would be referred to a specialist. GPs have a very broad but not overly detailed knowledge of medicine. That’s why there are specialists?!

In response to: medication withdrawals

Alix_ClaireCasual Contributor

Re: medication withdrawals

Thank you for the film recommendation!

In response to: medication withdrawals

justanotherguySenior Contributor

Re: medication withdrawals

Hi @talitha

Not telling you about the problems of going cold turkey is a very irresponsible thing for a doctor or psychiatrist to do, it's one of the main aspects of coming off medication. I'm unsure about your dosage rates or medication type (as we can't discuss them here) but from experience coming off even a small dose of medication after a very long time can cause all sorts of problems with readjustment. Your brain has to readjust to not having the artificial chemicals in it plus mental health medications cause you to see the world in a slightly different way - you are probably seeing the world differently than you did 20 years ago, your perceptions may seem strange.

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