How does anti-depressant withdrawal feel?

Answer 1

H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E

Effaxor:

Brain Zaps - Headache - 0 Energy - Simply horrible.

Answer 2

Well, as an old hand at the things, you can expect:

Physical; slight vertigo (dizzy feeling)
sensitivity to bright lights
a nervous feeling in your stomach
and perhaps
headaches and
shaking as though your body has just been injected with pure adreneline. :)
Some people get a huge appetite boost, where they eat and eat because their body doesn't tell them that they're full. This should go away after a few weeks. If not, consult your local GP or mental health practitioner.

Psychologically;
Difficulty concentrating on tasks
feelings of irrational frustration
a slight sense of panic about mundane things
and
difficulty talking/communicating with others.

You could also experience an almost manic high, where you are mentally and physically active, but this all calms down after a few days.

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT come off the medication without first consulting your doctor, especially if you are on a particularly high dose. The results will be all of the symptoms above, but you will feel a hundred times worse than normal. Trust me, I've done it and it was the WORST thing I could ever have done.

Answer 3

it depends on the anti-depressant, the dosage, and the severity of the depression.
sometimes withdrawl effects are minimal and make no serious impact on the body physically or mentally. This of course all depends on what i had mentioned previously.
Sometimes people will go into a deep state of depression after the discontinuation of the medication.
It is difficult to give an exact description of what may occur during the process of withdrawing.

Answer 4

I think it usually depends on the anti-depressant you were on. But, you should change or come off an old medicine slowly to prevent withdrawal type symptoms. Personally I found that it causes renewed depression, anger, frustration, and the return of past symptoms.
Talk to your DR.

Answer 5

Interesting question that! I suggest that for anyone contemplating stopping the use of antidepressant medication, firstly read 'COMING OFF ANTIDEPRESSANTS' by Joseph Glenmullen. (I was able to borrow a copy from my local library.) Joseph Glenmullen is a clinical instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a psychiatrist at Harvard University Health Services and also in private practice.

I'm a 50 year old female and was prescribed antidepressants (Zoloft - sertraline and Edronax - reboxetine) six years ago after my sister was murdered. About 3 years ago I felt ready to come off them and commenced cutting them down. I began to experience dizziness, anger, aggression, bouts of crying, and the depression came back with a vengeance. I thought I was still troubled by the depression and eventually gave up and went back up to the recommened dose. I felt better in a week or so.

I now feel that what I was experiencing was anitdepressant withdrawal. I came across this book while surfing amazon.com and am reading it so that I can become better informed about what I may experience next time round, and how to deal with this. Glenmullen cites research that demonstrates that at least 60% of patients experience withdrawal symptoms when they come off Zoloft, which is the one I'd tried cutting down on by myself. This time I'm looking for an informed psychiatrist who can oversee my withdrawal from these drugs, as well as educating friends and family on what can happen.

My plan is to execute a very slow withdrawal in order to minimise as much as possible the negative side effects, and boost my serotonin and noradrenaline levels through the use of vitamins and minerals, amino acids, fish oils etc. The side effects of using the anitdepressants have had a huge impact on my life eg loss of libido, profuse sweating, memory loss, confusion of thought, insomnia, tachychardia, hypertension and dysuria and I've decided that now is the time to act!

The point I stress most of all is: TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, PSYCHIATRIST, THERAPIST BEFORE YOU BEGIN REDUCING YOUR MEDICATION. WITHDRAWAL NEEDS TO BE SUPERVISED.

I can also recommend the book 'DEPRESSION FREE FOR LIFE' by Gabriel Cousens.

I wish you all joy in your journeys...

Answer 6

It depends on the drug you were taking. I stopped taking Paxil and I had a tingling sensation in my face, my depression and anxiety symptoms started coming back, my temper flared up more than usual, and I became more "horny" than usual (I am a 49 year old male). I had consented to join a drug study for Seroquel as a medicaion for Major Depression and I had to stop taking Paxil for a week before I started taking Seroquel.

Answer 7

I know that if I miss my meds for a day or two, I get a headache and start feeling lost. SO, I would assume like that but it keeps excellerating.

I hope you are going off gradually, and with Doctor permission. If not, please do not try this, go see your doctor

Answer 8

just like any other kind of withdrawl, like from drugs...it is a very depressing thing

Answer 9

depressing dude

Answer 10

depressing