I don't want to be on antidepressants anymore. What should I do?

Question

I was diagnosed as bipolar, but i have don't so much researsch and I don't have the manics (hyperness) of the illness. I have been on EVERY medication out there. I am a 23 yr. old female, who just want to live a normal life. I recently went of all of meds for good and i haven't felt this good in a while. Now I have been having heart palpations and my doctor says it's due to stress and he wants me to try other antidepressants. What should I do?

Answer 1

I dont know about the weaning off effects of antidepressants but you do need to do this gradually, not cold turkey, as you have experienced certain side effects.

It's much healthier to commit to a support group. I'm sure there are hotlines you can call for the nearest group that meets in your area. Check those out.

You may want to include some form of physical activity into your daily schedule, even if some days you will not carry them out. Reward yourself when you do with something you like.

Think of some of your positive qualities. Write them down and stick them in places you can see to read back to yourself, then run them thruough your mind a few times a day, even if you dont feel like it. You need reprogramming while depressing.

Be selective about tv, stay away from news and others (eg, comedy sitcoms, talk shows, spy movies, ....), music, and be aware of other environmental noise elements so you can either avoid them or else minimise the effects. Just as well, the Internet is not always so wholesome to be in (info overload). Whatever it is, you need to examine your immediate environment and remove/minimise anything that bothers you a lot.

When you find yourself analysing stuff too much, find something else to do. Change the way you walk home from work/school, take a dif route, even if it's longer. You need to get out from the routine of doing things. Modify your diet a little.

These are just some ways you may reduce the effects of outward routine, so your mind may find dif channels to park in. Nothing ever changes overnight. Be patient with yourself and with others. Laugh a little, cartoons are great for that.

Bless you! I wish you progress in bits and bites...(if you follow the plan, be sure you will fall right back to depress again, on some days, but, don't be too hard on yourself, get up again just as soon)

Answer 2

You may have bipolar 2, which has the depressive side and something called hypomania (a significantly milder form of mania). You need not have frequent episodes of it, and it can show up in ways you don't realize, like extreme irritability. It's what I have. It took 20 years to get the bipolar dx, which makes far more sense than unipolar depression for me. (On average, it takes 10 years and several doctors to be properly diagnosed.)
I'm 30 now and really I would love nothing more than to live a "normal" life. However, if you are really bipolar, the best chance you have of living a life even close to normal, is by carefully managing your medication and taking them properly. I will be on medication the rest of my life, unless someday they discover a cure (I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon though.)
If you just went off all meds, it's possible you are hypomanic right now and that's why you feel so good.
Then again, perhaps you were misdiagnosed. Maybe it would be a good idea to see another dr for a second opinion (because, when it comes right down to it, a diagnosis is an educated opinion, not a fact.)

I agree with susie, if you are bipolar, going off of medication leads only to disaster.

Answer 3

I am also bipolar and strictly warned to never stop taking medication. All this does is lead to disaster. My pdoc has warned me that this is an illness in which I will have for the rest of my life, and if I was diabetic; would I stop taking my insulin? No. Same thing. So for the sake of swallowing a couple/few pills, it is wise to stay healthy. I'm not trying to lecture, but just don't make the mistake I made at one time.

As for now, I am doing very well and graduated from a life of psych hospitals and now working a full-time job. Medication is it hun, with no alcohol or drug use either.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

I am 48 and have been bipolar for 22 years.
DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR MEDS UNTIL YOU TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!
(Sorry I was shouting).
Take care of yourself. The right combo of meds is out there - it took 9 hospitalizations and 5 shrinks for me to find it, but I think we've nailed it.

Answer 5

First of all, as has been said earlier, never just suddenly stop medication. Gradually reduce dosage and then, eventually you will be off of it. But the only cure, for any illness is Jesus, Christ, God s Son. He died that we might have life and have abundant life. With God all things are possible. The only way to get completely healed is to get closer to God. Pray and ask Jesus to save you. He came to deliver us from sickness. Read the bible...to see if I am telling you the truth. Start in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.the Gospels which means "Good News," ...they all tell of Jesus love for us and how he came to set the captives free. Get the Living Bible bible version or the Message Bible as they are easier to read and understand. There are many versions out there to choose from that are easier to read, than the King James Version. Just remember God loves you and only He can save you from all types of sickness and diseases.

Answer 6

Once you are on antidepressants, you really need to slowly stop taking them. Find a doctor who will work with your goals and not just push drugs on you to make you go away until you need the next drug.

Answer 7

ask your doctor about your fears ;

you may only need a very short course, of these new pills to help with your palpitations.
but you may, need to come off them carefully,
as you probably did with the medication ,
you had in the past

by gradually reducing the dose over days .etc.

your Doctor should be very understanding & help you ,
and have you feeling good about yourself again really soon .

all the best

>^,,^<

Answer 8

I have been depressed my entire life and finally got help when I was 41. God the time I wasted. Anyway, if you need the medicine, you NEED the medicine. Diabetics need insulin and depressed people, chronically depressed or bipolar people need the SSRI or whatever your doctor has prescribed. Accept it and move on.

Answer 9

the only way to stop taking them is to show improovement.
try brainwave therapties.
they can help you illiminate the symptoms and the anxiety associated with depression