How to Safely Quit Taking Antidepressants (Depression Medications)
Antidepressants can be highly addicting since the symptoms you have when stopping them can often be unbearable. When jumping off antidepressants, people tend to feel irritable, moody, depressed, anxious, and endure physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, and 'electric jolts' or seizure-feeling tension. There are ways to safely come off from antidepressants and when done correctly, your body avoids the withdrawal symptoms of drug-like-induced behavior.
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Instructions
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Always talk to your doctor before stopping any medication. See what he thinks about lowering the dose of your antidepressant or if he can suggest any other type of antidepressant that makes weaning a little easier. It is always best to slowly lower an antidepressant dose rather than stop taking them completely.
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Cut your doses of antidepressant in half and stay on that dose for a few weeks before stepping down to the next lower dose. For example: if you currently take 30mg of an antidepressant, cut that amount in half and take 15mg for a few weeks. Then, cut that amount in half and take 7.5mg for a few weeks. Once you've done this a couple times, you are more than likely safe to stop taking the antidepressant. But again, consult a doctor before you completely quit taking the antidepressant.
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Take a multivitamin when cutting back on an antidepressant. Multivitamins give our bodies what we need to feel healthy and stable. Adding a multivitamin to your daily routine will help to relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal from limiting your antidepressant. Be sure
to drink lots of water as well. -
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Do one thing at a time. Don't try to limit other things while you are reducing the intake of an anti-depressant. Trying to cut back on things such as caffeine and nicotine while getting off an
anti-depressant could cause more harm than good. Our bodies become dependent on drugs such as caffeine and nicotine, especially if taken everyday just like the anti-depressant. Wait until you are completely weaned off the anti-depressant before trying to limit or cut out any bad
habits.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to consult with a physician before stopping any medication.
Let friends and family know that you are stopping the antidepressant so that they can be aware of any unusual behavior or symptoms you may exhibit.
Resources
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