I dont mean just stop taking them,but can you be weaned off them without the condition returning?
2006-10-09 23:37:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anne F 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It depends on what causes your problem. You won't be able to stop it if it is caused by some neurochemical imbalances in the brain.
Most of the people will be able to stop it when it is caused by psychological conditions or substance abuse.
No one know exactly what causes psychosis or how these drugs work in the brain. Stop it only when your psychiatrist says so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia
2006-10-09 23:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by Ajeesh Kumar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been on risperdal for a little over 5 years now, and I'm beginning to dose down. I'm on 3 mgs, now, and every three months, when I see my doc, I will cut down by 1/2 mg. My doc told me we could do this, until I was on no medicine at all, but I don't feel comfortable with that. I'd like to cut down to 1mg and keep that as my maintenance dose.
I have heard from another doc that if you've had more than one psychotic episode (I've had 2), you should pretty much stay on the meds the rest of your life. I have also heard that about 30% of people with schizophrenia are able to live without medication, eventually. So, it is possible, but it's also a huge gamble, because so much is at stake.
My advice would be to wait until you are in peak condition, before you cut down too much. If you don't already, start exercising, eating a balanced diet, etc. (Yes, the brain is a physical organ, and it's affected by these things just as much as the heart is). Also, make sure you have excellent social supports in place. If not, join a mental health group of some kind. I go to a clubhouse, myself, and the community there is very supportive. And, you definitely don't want to have any lingering psychological issues left over from your illness. Identify such problems and seek therapy for them. All of this stuff changes the actual physical structure of your brain and makes it healthier. You want t make sure your brain is as healthy as it can get, before you try to go without your meds. Good Luck!
2006-10-10 14:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a long hard process to be weaned off them without condition coming back. Help from a professional is needed and constant monitoring by them. Good luck if you are going to try this.
2006-10-10 08:25:16 · answer #3 · answered by stormyweather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that it is very unlikely, but not impossible that your psychotic symptoms will go away. A friend of mine wanted to come off them slowly over a process of 1 year, but he hasn't coped. I wish you luck if you do decide to come off them. It would be great for you if the condition doesn't come back :)
2006-10-10 07:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by Meggi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is possible, if you attend all your counselling etc you could eventually come off them. It depends on your specific needs of course.
My g/f has taken rispiridone in the past, but now no longer needs it.
2006-10-10 06:47:24 · answer #5 · answered by OriginalBubble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably not but you could reduce the dose after c0nsultation with your gp
2006-10-10 06:45:11 · answer #6 · answered by magiclady2007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋