Rlens11: Adjusting

[Rlens11]

Hey everyone! I just recently found this site and I think I'm starting to finally have some answers. I was on antidepressants for about 10 years and then went cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant last year February 2023. I was fine for a while when I was pregnant, but then one day I started having major panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. I thought at first it was due to the pregnancy and the hormones and added stress so I just wrote it off as so. I was also having trouble sleeping with sensitivity to light and sound and waking up every couple of hours or so, which I also attributed to the pregnancy. I had my baby in November 2023 and have had worsening symptoms. Of course, anxiety and depression can come postpartum and so I attributed all of my issues to this and just to the general stress of having the baby and being new at parenting. But now, it is starting to feel like there is something more than just postpartum depression and anxiety. I have been having severe panic attacks and have trouble dealing with my emotions. When I get overwhelmed, my mind just shuts down and doesn't know how to comprehend thoughts or emotions. Could this be linked to a long-term withdrawal from my antidepressants? And if so, is there anything I can do?

[FireflyFyte]

Hi Rlens11,

 

Welcome to SA. Thank you for summarizing your drug history in your signature.

 

22 hours ago, Rlens11 said:

I have been having severe panic attacks and have trouble dealing with my emotions. When I get overwhelmed, my mind just shuts down and doesn't know how to comprehend thoughts or emotions. Could this be linked to a long-term withdrawal from my antidepressants?

 

Yes, long-term withdrawal is referred to as PAWS. You can learn more at Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) but you may want to consider talking to your doctor to ensure that hormones are not playing a role in what you are currently feeling if you haven't already.

 

22 hours ago, Rlens11 said:

And if so, is there anything I can do?

 

We recommend avoiding alcohol, weed, or strenuous exercise during withdrawals as they can often lead to setbacks in healing.

 

You may benefit from therapy where you can learn Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms. Some members have found benefit from CBT and/or DBT but learning breathing techniques and meditation can also be helpful.

Gentle exercise such as walks outside can help as well.

 

We also recommend the following supplements -

•  Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker
• King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Thanks,

 

Firefly