Relapse or Long-Term Iatrogenic Effects Less Likely With Slow Taper?

[MissSerene]

Is it generally correct that a slow or very slow taper will reduce the chances of permanent or lingering withdrawal or iatrogenic effects? Or might a person who's done a long, slow taper still experience a depressive "relapse" or drug/withdrawal-induced downward mood change even weeks or months after the taper ends? If taper slow enough to make withdrawal tolerable, is this pretty good sign that such a relapse won't happen?

[Altostrata]

We believe that tapering in a way to avoid stress on the nervous system reduces the risk of long-term iatrogenic problems, that's correct.

 

However, some people have a very difficult time going off psychiatric drugs no matter how they taper. It's impossible to predict who might have this difficulty.

[Rhiannon]

The problem is, nobody's really done studies on this, so it's impossible to say absolutely that a slower taper will reduce the odds of protracted withdrawal, etc.  

 

Everything I know about tapers I've learned from observing and working with people who are actively tapering and posting on forums.  I've known a lot of those. But I haven't really heard from many people who've done slow tapers and then come back months or years out to report on whether they had a relapse or protracted problems afterwards.  

 

Actually I can't think of anyone like that who I have heard from. That could mean it's not happening--that the people who taper slowly and reach bottom and get stable and leave stay good from there on out. But the absence of information is not really information.

 

I wish I could answer your question. I can only say that people who taper slowly and adjust their taper so as to minimize withdrawal symptoms seem to do best during the taper process, until they leave the forum, after which I don't really know what happens.  

 

I'm certainly hoping that doing a slow, stable taper will mean that when I'm done I'll continue to do well. I think the chances are pretty good. I've always done very poorly with CTs or large rapid cuts, but I'm doing great with the slow taper. Hopefully that's a good sign. We shall see.

[Meimeiquest]

This is sort of off-topic, but my sister once accompanied a woman in psych distress to a specialized clinic in FL. The director told my sister he was (had) bipolar but had been able to add enough structure to his life that he no longer needed to take medication. There is a doctor in England who says she has been able to manage her bipolar without medication for the past ten years. I have no idea how they tapered or how hard it was, but it seems like lifestyle management was a big part of their success.

[mammaP]

This is an interesting question. It's easy to blame withdrawal for every symptom because

it is responsible for so much suffering. I think even after all drugs are gone, a period of

being 'under the weather' or physical illness, virus etc, or situational depression could

be put down to withdrawal or a relapse when it is neither. I know I could fall into that trap! 

 

I would think that most people who have fought hard to come off drugs responsibly and

carefully will have gained enough self discipline and developed habits that will mean 

they are healthier and in tune with their body and so avoid the situations that got us there

in the first place.  That's what I'm hoping for.

[GiaK]

 

 

I would think that most people who have fought hard to come off drugs responsibly and

carefully will have gained enough self discipline and developed habits that will mean 

they are healthier and in tune with their body and so avoid the situations that got us there

in the first place.  That's what I'm hoping for.

 

 

that is largely true! healing from drug iatrogenesis is a heck of an education...and one heals all aspects of their being in the process. 

[MissSerene]

I hadn't thought of this but will from now on...that healing from drug dependence, and then from iatrogenic effects, is a great education, and that our whole body/being can change in the process. It never occurred to me that if I had known how to take care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually -- or had known how to respond differently to events I couldn't control, and to my own feelings -- I might never have landed in the place I'm in. Will remember that awareness and some self discipline are key. I've usually thought of self-care as selfish, but it seems it can help to create joy and prevent a lot of unnecessary misery (there's enough unavoidable pain in life, isn't there?).

[Meimeiquest]

Dr. Shipko's book called it "the ultimate behavioral therapy"