Star: Hi, my name is star. Dealing with depression, currently med-free.

[star]

I've followed the crowd over here from PP.  I was a newbie there, and just learning some of the names and stories before it all disappeared.

 

After being diagnosed with major depression, I went through several antidepressants as you can see in my signature, and after the third med (Paxil) didn't seem to be helping anymore, I quit.  I tapered rather quickly, but I'd been on it for less than a year, and I've managed all right. I still get some brain zaps, but not as frequently as in the beginning.  Not a lot else, so there's not much to say on that.

 

I hadn't dealt with depression before about five years ago (that I was ever aware of, anyway) but after a series of traumas/life-changing events, I began a long slide down, down, down, and was diagnosed in the Fall of 2013. I've gone to therapy with mixed results, tried three different antidepressants with mixed/unsatisfactory results, and have decided to battle the depression medication-free.  And for now, at least, I've also ended the therapy.

 

Some days are pretty hard, some aren't bad, but every day I'm still aware that I'm not the person I was.  That's not necessarily a bad thing (hopefully), because I think I've gained a better understanding of myself, maybe grown in some ways, but still.

 

I'm hoping to find some conversations about dealing with depression without meds, and finding and giving encouragement. 

 

 

[Frustrated]

Wow! 30mg to 0 in  2 months.  That is super fast.  I went off Paxil from 20 to 0 in 2 months.  It has been 6 months now and I am still suffering withdrawals.  I reinstated a tiny amount in November in the hopes of feeling better.  Has worked some but not  nearly as well as I would have hoped.  Glad to hear you are not suffering too badly.  Would like to welcome you here and hope you find the site informative and helpful.

[Petunia]

Welcome star, I'm glad you made it over here, thank you for sharing your story and for filling in your signature.

 

You tapered very fast and a year on an antidepressant is plenty long enough to cause withdrawal from stopping too fast, it seems you have been lucky.  Are you experiencing any other symptoms besides brain zaps? 

 

Reinstatement of a small amount of the drug can often work well to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.  According to medical knowledge, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.  Reinstatement is best done immediately upon appearance of withdrawal symptoms. The more time that passes, the less likely it is to work.  But its your decision and it depends on how bad you are feeling. Here is some information about it:

 

http://survivinganti...rawal-symptoms/

 

You might find some ideas for dealing with depression in our topic here:

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms 

 

You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want.

 

Petu.

 

 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Star-- glad you could make it over.

 

(((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))