S10lifted95: Girlfriend trying to taper, withdrawals hurting relationship

[s10lifted95]

Hello,

 

  My girlfriend of 3 and a half months began tapering off her antidepressant a few weeks ago. I'm not exactly sure which one she has been taking though. She soon started having withdrawal symptoms(unbeknownst to me) and her mood turned sour. She was saying horrible things to me and feeling sick, getting the zaps, etc. It lasted for a couple of days and then she seemed to come to again, and we were fine for about another week. Then it happened again, and has hardly stopped. She'll wake up and it's like she hates me for even breathing. I keep telling her that I don't want to leave her but I feel like I'm being driven away because Its hard to be around her. In turn, she's started to believe that I don't care about her anymore and has lost almost all hope in me. We are on the verge of breaking up. I really do care about her and it breaks my heart see her have to go through this. I've suggested that she work more closely with her Dr. to regulate it better but she just thinks I'm being a jerk and says they won't do anything to help her. I don't want to lose her because she is an amazing person when she is herself. What can I do to help her/cope/adapt? I've never known anyone that this has happened to and I have no clue what do do.

 

Brian

[mammaP]

Hi Brian, I suspect that your girlfriend is tapering too fast, possibly as instructed by a doctor! 

I don't know how you can help her unless she accepts that she is in withdrawal, sadly this is typical

of withdrawal and it is really great that you can see what it is and be prepared to help and stand by her. 

It is very difficult for you and the best thing you can do for her is to get her to come here and see some

of the topics herself. This will be hard if she is acting on doctors' advice, people trust their doctors over

internet sites but sadly very few know anything about withdrawal syndrome. 

 

The best move as it's only been a few weks would be to reinstate the original dose and wait several weeks

to stabilise, then start a slow taper from there. 

 

I hope she learns about tapering safely, withdrawal causes much misery and unnecessary suffering. She is 

lucky to have someone who is looking out for her. 

[Rhiannon]

You might check out the Family and Friends section to find support and advice from people who've been through what you're going through. We can't help your girlfriend with her tapering and withdrawal if she doesn't come here herself, sadly.

 

It does sound like she's probably tapering too fast. Most doctors don't realize that most people can't come off ADs as fast as they think they can. We hear all kinds of ridiculous taper schedules given to people by their doctors. It's not really their fault, though; they've gotten their drug education from the pharmaceutical companies, who aren't really interested in helping people get off their very profitable drugs.

[Rhiannon]

If you think she'd be open to it, I highly recommend the book Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. Also anything by Peter Breggin or David Healy.