DaughterMI: Inpatient Centers for Recovery from Antidepressant Withdraw Symptoms?

[DaughterMI]

I need help, my mom basically went cold turkey off of her depression medication and is at about a 9 out of 10 with all the worst symptoms, uncontrollable sobbing, shaking uncontrollably, can't walk more then 5 feet without collapsing, wishes she would die, etc. It's bad. Anyway, she lives in a small town and we have been unable to find anyone to help her that has dealt with anti depressant withdraw symptoms. She is now refusing even the smallest amounts of medical care and the family feels it may be time to put her into a treatment facility. We are very worried that if we don't get someone who understands both the good and bad issues that accompany antidepressants, that she will just be prescribed more.

So my question is, has anyone been in a treatment center that has helped (location doesn't matter) or know someone who has? I have tried to contact Dr. Glenmullen several times to try and fly her to Boston but have received no response. Any doctor in Michigan or California would be helpful as well. We are lost and searching for answers. Thank you.

[nz11]

Welcome

you have come to the right place for help...and boy do we understand ..we have all been there...Actually my diary when i went drug free notes exactly the same symptoms  as you have stated...

Your concerns are well founded. These are classic symptoms of ssri wdl ..it is a serious iatrogenic injury. imo

 

In order for people here to help can you advise  what drug(s) (paxil?) and dosage (20mg?) she was on and when did she Cold turkey it. (3 days ago?)

How long had she been taking it for ? (10 yrs ?)

 

You might like to read this on reinstatement

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

These drugs are brain alteringly potent and need to be tapered slowly [many here are taking several years to taper]...it would be very informative to read this on how to taper

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

So sorry your mum is in this terrible situation.

Hopefully a mod will be along soon to help and shift this to the intro topics.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Daughter.

 

Most doctors do not recognize withdrawal syndrome -- that is why this site exists. There are no inpatient facilities treating withdrawal syndrome. What you will find are psychiatric facilities where, most likely, your mother will be given a complicated-sounding psychiatric misdiagnosis and probably prescribed a cocktail of drugs.

 

The appropriate treatment for someone who has gone cold-turkey off an antidepressant is immediate reinstatement of a partial dose of the drug. This is best done right away. A half-dose might be sufficient. See About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Here is our list of doctors who may be aware of withdrawal syndrome and reinstatement http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/988-recommended-doctors-therapists-or-clinics/