Should I still be on meds?

[mightymouse88]

I noticed that a lot of articles say that most people go on anti depressants for a period and then get weened off, and that its usually a for at most a few years.. Well I have been on welbutrin xr since i was 12, I am now 21. I have never been taken off or switched, I'm not even sure if i've had any major dose changes (granted I probably wouldnt have noticed a new pill size when I was younger). I dont know if being ADHD and on Focalin LA has anything to do with it. I just wonder if this is common or not?
And ps I do still suffer from bouts of depression from time to time, I see a therapist regularly, and I have anxiety issues.

[Jaquta]

In an ideal world (maybe not ideal if it has mental illness in it) there would be a period of medication use followed by a taper.  Some studies say to take medication for six months after depression lifts others say two years so as to prevent relapse.

Issues creating the anxiety and depression should be addressed by your therapist.  I would challenge its effectiveness if you have been in therapy long-term and are still exhibiting symptoms without feeling any better for it.  Therapy is a personal thing though and only you will know if it is truly helpful.
Many people stay in ineffective therapy too long.

If it were me, and I am not a doctor or health professional, I would taper the welbrutin and then perhaps over time reevaluate the other med and possibly even lower that.
Any med changes should only be made after consulting your doctor though and be done under medical supervision.
You could discuss your concerns with your doctor at your next appointment.

[Hensley258]

I would have to disagree with that article. Yes, people with mild situational depression can often be taken off their antidepressant in as little as 6 months, but lets not confuse Mild situational depression with chronic Major depressive dissorder.

For these poeople (and there are a lot of them) meds are a fact of life and not a choice but rather a requirment simply to survive.

I am not going to under estimate the type and level of your depression, but if just Welbutrin alone has been enough to keep your depression in check for so many years, then your actual level of depression would no doubt be on the very mild side.

People with severe depression and anxiety dissorder do not even respond to Welbutrin as it is not a very powerful or effective antidepressant.

My opinion: Yea, I think in your case you could stop medication if you wanted to and still be able to fuction at a normal level. Others may not agree, but from what you said, I simply don't see any indication that you suffer from severe enough depression to warrent lifetime meds.

Then again if you feel better taking them then no harm there.

[ILADVOCATE]

Many people need medication for life. Its relatively common. Anti-depressents of course don't cure depression but they do help treat it but if you feel your medication is not working as it should speak to your psychiatrist about other available options.