I've been taking lexapro for almost two years and was wondering how you know you don't need them anymore. I am much better, I made lots of friends and am very social but I still get in moods.
2006-10-17 04:21:00 · 10 answers · asked by Heather 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Talk with your doctor. There may be a weening process to help you rely less on the medication. Pills are used to treat a chemical problem, so you may still need the pills even though everything seems okay--because of the pills!
2006-10-17 04:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are dealing with life and have people to talk to(therapist, friends, family) I am a firm believer and have been told that medication for depression is only for temporary use, NOT long term. I have gotten off mine with the help from my doctor and I still feel great! You can too! If your doctor doesn't think so... go to a new one who is willing to help. I spent 20 years with a doctor who said I would always need meds to function. I would love to see him now to show him how wrong he was.
If you have the right mind set, you don't need the pills!! Good Luck and keep those close to you informed of what you are trying to achieve!
2006-10-17 04:45:43 · answer #2 · answered by warandpeace 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem I feel you will have is; your body is dependent on this chemical. So, to really know, you have to get off the meds, but, in a controlled manner. I will assume you stop "Cold Turkey" your body is going to say something about it in the way of Deep Depression. You really need to discuss this with the person who prescribed this for you and develop a plan to come off this in a slow controlled manner. Then see how you do without the drug.
2006-10-17 04:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When YOUR DOCTOR tells you you don't need them anymore. Obviously, they've helped you - and I could tell you horror story after horror story about people who stopped taking their meds because they were feeling better and thereafter wound up in the Psych ward.
PLEASE - discuss this with your Psychiatrist. No one should take medication they don't need - but HE'S the one who must make the decision - not you or me.
One (awful) example is a young woman who, feeling better, decided on her own to substitute St. John's Wort for prescription anti-depressant medication. Long story short - she wound up in the hospital and eventually lost her children. Tragic...
2006-10-17 04:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal reccomendation is that you talk to your doctor about it. Depression is often caused by a chemcial imbalance and that medication may be keeping your body is balance. Still if you want to try to get off the meds, ask your doctor how to wean your off. Please do not go off of them cold turkey. In my own experience you can get very sick that way. I even lost my vision temporarily and wound up in the hospital. Good luck with your decision and take care.
2006-10-17 04:49:46 · answer #5 · answered by alexis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree WHEN YOU'RE DOCTOR tells you. If you just quit cold turkey thats going to cause problems. I was married to a gal who was "much better, I made lots of friends and am very social but I still get in moods." and she quit and within a week tried to kill herself.
Listen to your doctor
2006-10-17 04:51:52 · answer #6 · answered by shinobisoulxxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess if you're much better, you can go off them. Everyone gets in "moods," so try it.
Love Jack
2006-10-17 05:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to seek medical advise, but I know your not suppose to get off cold turkey, you should wean yourself off gradually. Otherwise you may experience side effects.
2006-10-17 05:21:07 · answer #8 · answered by Jackie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're not sad anymore.
2006-10-17 04:29:25 · answer #9 · answered by Sam 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
U can not know ! please consult your doctor.
2006-10-17 04:48:36 · answer #10 · answered by Dr urok 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋