Posted by SLS on March 28, 2009, at 16:47:20
In reply to Re: Discontinuing antidepressants after remission » SLS, posted by myco on March 28, 2009, at 16:20:09
> How often do you think remission can be maintained after discontinuation?
It depends on the history of prior episodes.
There are many studies demonstrating the need for 6-9 months of treatment after remission is achieved to prevent relapse. This is for someone's first depressive episode only. For the second and third episodes, 18 months is favored. For chronic of recurrent depressions, treatment may need to be indefinite.
> Isn't it typical for symptoms to begin setting back in quickly after a med is withdrawn?
For people whose depression is chronic or recurrent, relapse is likely to occur within the first 4 months after discontinuation.
> Do you think maintainence is a better option? curious.
Again, this is a question to be answered by assessing patient history and even family history. For someone like me whose depression has been chronic and has persisted for many years despite treatment, I would stay on an effective treatment indefinitely.
The more episodes of depression that occur, the more often they recur and the more difficult they are to treat. So, for someone who is being treated for their first episode, it is imperative not to allow for subsequent relapses by discontinuing treatment prematurely.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:887422
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090322/msgs/887434.html