Is it wise to stop my meds after 14 succesful years of therapy for initial psychosis, anxiety and depression?

Question

Early diagnostic label either psychotic depression/anxiety or more likely schizo-affective disorder. I have been on Stelazine 5mg/day for 14 years, and recently on Seruquel 350mg/day to replace Stelazine. I also have been on a daily anti-depressive for 14 years currently Cipramil/Cipram. Initial psychosis disappeared weeks after treatment began and has never reappeared. Clinical depression has disappeared and anxiety with psychological features e.g. significant phobia - penis envy/fear & general anxiety is now normal . Clinical severity and symptoms have disappeared and any residual effects are gone. I am now clear thinking and feeling, and am no longer obsessive. I now consider myself healthy yet attempts to come off my meds cold turkey as recent as March 2006 did not last long term - 10 days at the most. Throughout the summer 2006 I gradually tapered myself down to taking 'crumbs' of all the different meds. But when teaching began, Ist week in September I panicked and resumed in full

Answer 1

Never stop taking drugs for mental illness cold turkey.

I don't believe that any schizophrenia type disorders ever really go away. They can be suppressed and controlled with medication, as you know, but will most likely be back if you go off the meds. You could start taking a smaller dose of medication for this and see how you handle it, but never ever ever stop taking an anti-psychotic cold turkey.
To go off the meds for depression/anxiety, you'll need to taper down. Your doctor will tell you how you can do this best.

The smartest, safest thing you can do is talk to your doctor so that he/she can prescribe a lower dosage of the anti-psychotic and put you on a plan for going off the anti-depressant.

Answer 2

It is not yet clear that what causes psychosis or other mental disorders. So many theories are here, most of them are contradictory. Psychiatry is only beginning to develop as a precision medical science.

Relapse rate is very high in mental disorders, mostly because of these drugs do not cure but only manages the symptoms. It is not a good idea to stop meds your own if you could live a happy life with meds. Talk to your doctor first, he will tell you what to do.
It doesn't matter what you take inside but the quality of life you have is more important than anything. Find the maintenance doses and stay on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosis

Answer 3

Did they put you on a tapering schedule? It you have been on meds for the long, you may need to have you dosages cut in half and have it done over a couple of months. I don't think cold turkey is a good way to come off any antidepressants or anti psychotic.

Answer 4

Never stop taking medications cold turkey. You can throw your body into a plethora of side effects. You really should consult your physician about your want to be off the medication. Just from the sounds of it...the medication really works for you. Think of it this way...if your heart wasn't working and you had to take a pill to make it work right every day to live....would you take it? Of course you would....this is no different. Take the meds if they truly help you!

Answer 5

If you have a psychiatric disorder especially if you get psychotic do not stop taking your meds. You should never try to stop taking them cold turkey either without the help of a doctor. I too take Seroquel and it has been a wonder drug for me. No more psychotic episodes. Once you are on these drugs you are usually on them for the rest of your life. I have been on mine for Bipolar disorder, psychotic episodes and OCD. You can't just stop taking them or it will throw all of those chemicals in your body that started all of this back out of whack. If you want off of them you need to see your Psychiatrist to help taper you off of them slowly. If you are a teacher and have students to teach I doubt that you want to have a panic attack in front of your class do you? Please see your Psychiatrist for further help alright. Good Luck and God Bless You.

Answer 6

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 7

It would be best to map out a withdrawal plan with your mental health professional. It is possible that you will always have the chemical imbalances that cause your mental illnesses, and would need those meds for life. It may not be something that heals, so to speak, but is only neutralized by your medication.

Answer 8

geez barry!!
it sounds easier to see a chinese or indian herbalist or a homeopath!!!
get allergy tests or hair analysis, i bet u r allergic to chemicals, shampoo, dish detergent, mens toiletries, yeast bread n beer, corn, peanuts, coffee, beef, pasta, canola & milk etc
i like thought field therapy and kiniesiologists for stress
i like st johns wort for ocd n depression
evening primrose oil n fish oil make me happy

Answer 9

Not without medical supervision.

Answer 10

big mistake to go off meds
you are putting yourself at risk and anyone around you if you go off your meds