Withdrawl Side Effects - Are They Permanent?

[live_give_love]

I am 23 years old and since I was roughly 12, I have taken various SSRI medications, including Paxil, Zoloft, Cylexa, and most recently, Pristiq. In conjunction, I have taken Xanax or Ativan.

Each time I would take a medicine for a few months, I would begin to notice that it no longer seemed to "help", resulting in multiple switches/changes recommended by Psychs.

Most recently, I missed a few doses of Pristiq. Within days, I began to feel very intense "brain zaps", and for months while taking the medicine, I felt lethargic, and emotionally flat. Additionally, I felt (and still feel) highly anxious while taking the medicine.

After missing the several doses of Pristiq, I stopped taking it all together. Since then, I've noticed that my body seems to be "recovering" and that my emotions are beginning to come back. However, I am experiencing quite a few with drawl effects as well.

I know everyone gives the advice to NOT taper off without dr assistance, however, I have spent so many years on these medicines and I truly believe my cognitive functioning has dwindled. I notice that I can't remember words, lose my train of thought, have trouble concentrating, and my emotions feel flat lined.

Is there hope that these symptoms will go away? Please help :(

[ILADVOCATE]

Withdrawal symptoms are time limited to the specific withdrawal period and if a specific class of medication causes cognitive confusion or cognitive blunting then if you have found that effect from all the medications you have taken that's not surprising. That doesn't mean the effect is permanent. Speak to your psychiatrist about what available options might be more tolerable while still effective for you.