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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
How do I get off my depression meds?
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I suffer from depression which was brought on by work related injuries and bullying at work and was thinking of suicide. My GP and Psychologist started me on 50mg zoloft then onto 100mg and was told that in some cases when a person suffers this type of depression they can get off the medication.
Yet after nearly 2 years I have had to up my dose to 150mg earlier this year and although I feel better I still have moments when I get depressed but not to the point of suicide, more feeling of being down and teary some times, but I am more in control and know how to deal with things. I really want to get off the medication and would like to know is it normal to be on medication for depression for this long and will I ever be able to get of my medication, and how can I come off them? -
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Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith
Health Professional
My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile
I think that how long it is advisable for somebody to be on an AD very much depends on their individual circumstances - there is no “normal”. Talking with your care team is the way to go here.
As far as coming off an AD is concerned, generally this needs medical monitoring. Usually tapering off is recommended.
Going “cold turkey” without medical monitoring is *not* a good plan.Report this post
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Grace Gonzalez
Counsellor, Psychotherapist
I am a counsellor with over two decades of experience working with non-for-profit organisations, private organizations, secondary education, community health services, and private practice in … View Profile
Your description of what has led you to be on medication in the first place appears to be of a psychological nature. In other words, you don’t mention any physiological conditions with depression as a symptom. Psychological conditions can be approach with natural therapies such as psychotherapy or others which you might want to discuss with your doctor
I am not sure how long you have spent experimenting with counselling/psychotherapy and also how many counsellors/psychotherapist you might have tried in the last 2 years in order to get an idea of what works for you. Life’s experiences before, during, and after the bullying will have an effect on the intensity/frequency/length of depression.
It is not impossible to get off medication for psychological conditions but this means you will have to dedicate time and effort with psychotherapy in order to gain insight and emotional strength to deal with whatever has brought about the depression in the first place.
Having said that, counselling and psychotherapy might help you also explore what it is about taking medication that is concerning you? Either way, continuing or stopping medication would need to be explored together with your counsellor/psychotherapist and your doctor in order to understand the ramifications and to make an informed decision on your part.
Hope this has shed some light on the subject, good luck!
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