Aa
Will I EVER be able to go off my medication?
I will be 22 next week and have been on medication for my OCD, anxiety, depression and agoraphobia since I was 8 starting with Luvox. I've taken risperidol, Xanax, clonazepam, Valium, cipralex, serequel and propananol and ativan. I hate taking Meds because I wish I could deal with it on my own. Will there ever come a day where I don't have to take these Meds? I don't want them doing long term damage to my body.
Thank you. I was put on Luvox at age 8 for OCD, and clonazepam for panic attacks. I was diagnosed with depression at age 12, I'm currently taking 20mg of cipralex , Valium twice daily and a beta blocker propanol and serequel for a mood stabilizer. You're right. If I need Meds I need them. It's just people tell me they ruin your body in the future.
Good sound advice given above. I understand the thought about getting off of the meds. Personally, Ill take mine for 100 years if necessary. My life is leaps and bounds better now than it was before taking medicine and getting therapy.
There's this stereotype about taking meds for depression/anxiety, that those who do are "nuts". (That's what I thought before taking meds!) Now that I take meds myself, I think it would be nuts to not be taking the meds. In a perfect world, nobody would be on meds and we'd all get along wonderfully. That ain't gonna happen....
If you're finding any relief at all with your meds, keep taking them and do yourself a favor and see your doctor/psychiatrist/therapist and ask about tweaking your plan of attack and also about learning some coping mechanisms. Coping mechanisms, medicine and therapy have changed me and my life completely.... Please consider all options.
There's this stereotype about taking meds for depression/anxiety, that those who do are "nuts". (That's what I thought before taking meds!) Now that I take meds myself, I think it would be nuts to not be taking the meds. In a perfect world, nobody would be on meds and we'd all get along wonderfully. That ain't gonna happen....
If you're finding any relief at all with your meds, keep taking them and do yourself a favor and see your doctor/psychiatrist/therapist and ask about tweaking your plan of attack and also about learning some coping mechanisms. Coping mechanisms, medicine and therapy have changed me and my life completely.... Please consider all options.
I TOTALLY agree with the above poster. She makes some excellent points. If you had a heart condition and needed meds, would you feel this way? Of course not! It should be NO different.
In some situations, I can see a person wanting to only utilize meds as a short term tool to help them address anxiety or depression. You're talking several didfferent disorders, and you have been diagnosed from an EARLY age. That would be a situation that indicates the need to continue those meds, to me.
My honest opinion is...if it isn't broken, don't fix it. People get into this frame of mind...similar to what you've said, "I wish I didn't NEED meds, I wish I could do it on my own". Having a mental illness isn't some kind of character flaw, or sign of weakness, it's an actual disorder, possibly caused by an imbalance of the checmical make up in your brain. You needing meds to keep these disorders managed properly is NOT a negative thing, it's not some kind of weakness.
Sadly, a lot of people that DO decide to give it a go without the meds end up in a bad way, rebound depression, rebound anxiety, insomnia, etc. Fairly quickly, they are reminded why they started the meds in the first place. I've done the same thing in the past. I thought, "well, my anxiety is pretty much gone, I don't need these pills!". Within 6 months, my anxiety came back, with a VENGEANCE. It made the original anxiety look like a walk in the park.
In MY opinion, it's just not worth messing with. I also agree that therapy can be very helpful as well.
In some situations, I can see a person wanting to only utilize meds as a short term tool to help them address anxiety or depression. You're talking several didfferent disorders, and you have been diagnosed from an EARLY age. That would be a situation that indicates the need to continue those meds, to me.
My honest opinion is...if it isn't broken, don't fix it. People get into this frame of mind...similar to what you've said, "I wish I didn't NEED meds, I wish I could do it on my own". Having a mental illness isn't some kind of character flaw, or sign of weakness, it's an actual disorder, possibly caused by an imbalance of the checmical make up in your brain. You needing meds to keep these disorders managed properly is NOT a negative thing, it's not some kind of weakness.
Sadly, a lot of people that DO decide to give it a go without the meds end up in a bad way, rebound depression, rebound anxiety, insomnia, etc. Fairly quickly, they are reminded why they started the meds in the first place. I've done the same thing in the past. I thought, "well, my anxiety is pretty much gone, I don't need these pills!". Within 6 months, my anxiety came back, with a VENGEANCE. It made the original anxiety look like a walk in the park.
In MY opinion, it's just not worth messing with. I also agree that therapy can be very helpful as well.
I have been on meds for over 20 years. I, like you, used to think they should make me better and I wouldn't have to keep taking all the drugs, but everytime I stopped taking my meds I would wind up back depressed and not being able to cope. I finaly, made friends with my meds and know I will be on some for the rest of my life. Staying on them is better than the deep depressions I have if I dont take them. Acceptence was the way I came to terms with the meds and am much happier since I decided that my meds are no different than medication for diabetes. I need them to live a good, productive life. Good luck to you.
"Seroquel is not a habit-forming drug, therefore withdrawal symptoms are not considered dangerous. The return of previous mental symptoms or a psychotic episode is of greatest concern".
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/89294-discontinue-seroquel/#ixzz26hmgTqbV
Why are you taking Seroquel?
Anxiety Depression can be treated with coping mechanisms and I believe that you can wean off of meds with the right therapy.
I don't know if OCD is something that can be treated with other coping mechanisms. other than medication, but i think that it can, i think i watched something on tv about it.
Agoraphobia can be treated with other coping tools as well.
Good luck with it. Please let us know if you talk to your psychiatrist.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/89294-discontinue-seroquel/#ixzz26hmgTqbV
Why are you taking Seroquel?
Anxiety Depression can be treated with coping mechanisms and I believe that you can wean off of meds with the right therapy.
I don't know if OCD is something that can be treated with other coping mechanisms. other than medication, but i think that it can, i think i watched something on tv about it.
Agoraphobia can be treated with other coping tools as well.
Good luck with it. Please let us know if you talk to your psychiatrist.
Welcome to the forum ChristineYvette. I don't know for sure what you're taking right now, so it's hard to say whether you can expect to be taken off them. You'd have to tell your history, specifically. Like I was 8 when starting Luvox for "what", then at 9 I was diagnosed with depression and was given "what?" at the same times as the Luvox. Then I went off of "what" and got put on "what". You see where I'm going with this? Need more info for informed opinions, I think.
Do you see a therapist? Because seeing a therapist gets to the root of the problems, and when that happens, I believe that Yes, it is possible that you might be able to get off of medication. I know that my son got off of his anxiety medication after four years, it was tough, but he tapered off and finally quit and is drug free. I can't think of the name. I know one thing, his Doctor didn't think that he could be taken of them, but with determination, he did just that, by tapering off of them. If he can do it, why not you?
Therapy Therapy Therapy, and maybe you'll have the chance you're looking for to wean yourself off of your medication.
Of course, you need to ask the Psychiatrist that is prescribing these drugs, and when you do, please share his answer with us here. It's a darn good question and needs to be answered.
Hope you hear what you're looking to hear. Best of luck with it. Hugs. Liz
Do you see a therapist? Because seeing a therapist gets to the root of the problems, and when that happens, I believe that Yes, it is possible that you might be able to get off of medication. I know that my son got off of his anxiety medication after four years, it was tough, but he tapered off and finally quit and is drug free. I can't think of the name. I know one thing, his Doctor didn't think that he could be taken of them, but with determination, he did just that, by tapering off of them. If he can do it, why not you?
Therapy Therapy Therapy, and maybe you'll have the chance you're looking for to wean yourself off of your medication.
Of course, you need to ask the Psychiatrist that is prescribing these drugs, and when you do, please share his answer with us here. It's a darn good question and needs to be answered.
Hope you hear what you're looking to hear. Best of luck with it. Hugs. Liz
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Depression Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
