E123: Life after long term SSRI use

[E123]

Hello,

I am looking for information or others experience of life after long term SSRI use.  I was on SSRIs for 38 years and have been completely off for 9 months. I started as a teenager and am 58 yo now so not sure what normal is supposed to look like.  Though I do not feel depressed, I am still unable to sleep and have had to resort to medication for this.  The other experience I have is apathy.  I find myself caring about very little.  The things I loved before I have no attachment to now. It is a very strange existential space.  Wondering if others have had this experience and if it ever changes over time. Thank you.

[Emonda]

Welcome @E123,

 

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. 

 

17 hours ago, E123 said:

so not sure what normal is supposed to look like.

 

I reckon normal may be a little different for all of us 🙂

 

17 hours ago, E123 said:

Though I do not feel depressed, I am still unable to sleep and have had to resort to medication for this.

 

Sleep issues can be quite common for those who are tapering/have recently tapered their AD. When you say you are taking medication, it will be important to add that to your drug signature. Some people find Melatonin for sleep helpful.

 

17 hours ago, E123 said:

The other experience I have is apathy.  I find myself caring about very little.  The things I loved before I have no attachment to now. It is a very strange existential space. 

 

There are a few WD symptoms you may still be experiencing: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

17 hours ago, E123 said:

Wondering if others have had this experience and if it ever changes over time.

 

Have you had a read of the success stories? You can use the search function to find people that have successfully tapered from your AD.

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A...and please remember your drug signature.

 

Emonda

 

 

 

 

 

[Gonzo]

I'm always surprised when doctors are okay with people taking these drugs for so long, for them it's just "medicine" just like there is medicine for diabetes so it's completely justified.

 

Truth is most SSRI studies don't even last a year.

 

These experiences you described so far are normal, the more and better you describe your experiences after quitting the more people will be able to understand you, validate you and help you going through all this.

 

I hope you live a better life from now on.

 

IMO, now a new and better life could start for you. The emotions that you feel or don't, such as sadness or passion, they should come back with time.

[LukeUK]

37 minutes ago, Gonzo said:

Truth easy most SSRI studies don't even last a year.

 

They often last a few weeks and have numerous other flaws.

 

 

18 hours ago, E123 said:

Hello,

I am looking for information or others experience of life after long term SSRI use.  I was on SSRIs for 38 years and have been completely off for 9 months. I started as a teenager and am 58 yo now so not sure what normal is supposed to look like.  Though I do not feel depressed, I am still unable to sleep and have had to resort to medication for this.  The other experience I have is apathy.  I find myself caring about very little.  The things I loved before I have no attachment to now. It is a very strange existential space.  Wondering if others have had this experience and if it ever changes over time. Thank you.

 

For 9 months off after 38 years it could be a lot worse, I would say. Well done on coming off.

 

It may take quite some time but I would expect the anhedonia to gradually improve. If you're able to function, doing relaxing but enjoyable things like walking in nature, even if you don't enjoy it might be beneficial over time. It is a case of carrying on and hoping that in another 3 or 6 months you have less apathy than you do now. It can take your body a lot of time to undo the changes made by psychiatric drugs.