What is the consequence of going on and off antidepressants?
August 16, 2009 by Depression and Anxiety Tips
Filed under More Depression Answers
Can you answer Nora C’s question about Depression?:
Someone told me that if I went off antidepressants and then back on and vice versa (say a month off, two months on, etc.) that it would damage my brain, but is this true? And how would it damage my brain?
Symptoms Of Childhood Depression
Someone told me that if I went off antidepressants and then back on and vice versa (say a month off, two months on, etc.) that it would damage my brain, but is this true? And how would it damage my brain?
Symptoms Of Childhood Depression
Depression Feedback: not sure about damaging your brain…perhaps the brain chemical balance…
going on and off of antidepressants can cause horrible side effects, seizures or becoming even more depressed and suicidal. It is not safe to go on and off anti-depressants..you need to ween yourself off so they withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.
Depression Feedback: No i dont think it will damage your brain, but it might mess up your serotonin levels which will cause you to feel depressed off and on depending on when you take them. Also, if you are taking high dosages and stop cold turkey, you will experience side effects such as night sweats, agitation, anxiousness, paranoia, etc…. make sure you check with your doctor or pharmicist before going off antidepressants..
Depression Feedback: You are best to get off of them and STAY off of them.Get to the root of your unhappiness and deal with it and then you can start healing.
GOD delivered me from depression.HE restored my self esteem, and then taught me to think differently.If you change the way you think and look at things, then the way you feel will change after a while.Believe GOD loves you and will see you through anything, has your best interest in mind and will change your life to where you can BE happy.You have to believe this no matter how things look and be patient.
All the drugs will do is keep you doped down, and you’ll never get through depression, but remain depressed and medicated.The rugs eventually DO damage.I knew one woman the anti depressants shrank her brain.It caused a stroke and ANY time she forgot to take them(she had been on them over 20 yrs) she went koo koo.Try the United Pentecostal church they are great.GOD bless.
Depression Feedback: ROLLER COASTER OF NUMB AND EMOTION… LOTS OF FOLKS ON THAT MED ALWAYS GO ON AND OFF FOR A RUSH OR SOMETIMES IT CAN CAUSE BAD SYMPTOMS OF SHAKING AND SWEATING!
Depression Feedback: i don’t think it does brain damage but it does confusse the chemical balance that the is getting from the meds. i would recommend not going off and on those pills. you may feel ok but, trust me don’t go off them untill your dr. tells you to.
Depression Feedback: I don’t think anyone knows enough about antidepressants to know if that would damage you or not. However, some people do take breaks from antidepressants for a few days once in awhile, because the drugs (SSRI’s) make it impossible to be intimate (you know) and so the doc says, ok, take a break fora couple days. A drug holiday, I think it is called. Also, women with PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder) take SSRI’s for about 10 days a month. Also, people take antidepressants to quit smoking (I don’t remember which kind for that, wellbutrin I think). People with seasonal affective disorder or SAD take SSRI’s in the winter only.
I don’t know why you would want to do this on and off thing in the way you are describing. Often, a person takes the antidepressant for a few months, then decides to see if they can get by without it, and maybe they can. If the depression comes back and is relentless & won’t stop, well then, you are someone who just needs to take them. I suspect there are people who relapse for awhile due to drug withdrawal and get better in a couple weeks, but I do not know for sure. (I have bipolar disorder and do not take antidepressants, but did for awhile).
This is something to talk to your doc about, but I do not see why you would do this. If you need them, take them. If you want to try and wean off them, try it with doctor’s advice & see how it goes.
Depression Feedback: I go on and off mine all the time and don’t notice anything.
Depression Feedback: Hun, I cant see it damageing your brain. Check with GP giving you the meds. I always do research on any med the docs want me to take, b4 i take it. I have had Anti dep. twice over some years and for short time and also long time. To me they have been FABULOUS….as I always say, Check the meds u r on and if they are not compatible with others. So much good info on net. Also find a GP or Psych u trust, it makes so much difference. I’m on Cipramil (in Australia) not sure what its called where u are