![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejj on January 28, 2002, at 17:21:29
Hello,
How do you know when to come off an antidepressant like prozac ? What happenes when you do ?
thanks
Posted by sid on January 28, 2002, at 17:30:14
In reply to How do you know its time to stop ?, posted by janejj on January 28, 2002, at 17:21:29
Hi Jane,
I think it depends on how well you're doing, how long you've been feeling so well, and your history of mental illness. For example, if you've had 1 episode of major depression, you don't have to stay on meds as long as if it's the 2nd or 3rd time. The longer you stay on meds while feeling good, the less likely you will get depression again once you stop. I also feel that it's a decision that is best made with your doctor who should know your entire story of mental illnesses.
My experience: I have had one episode of major depression which I did not treat with meds. I also have had dysthymia for about 21 years. I am now treating dysthymia (+ anxiety disorder, which I was not aware of until recently) with ADs, and given the long time I have suffered dysthymia and the fact that I had one major episode, my doc suggested that once I feel good (go define that!), then I should stay on the same meds, at the same dosage, at least one more year (as long as it does not poop out of course). Then I would tapper down to nothing and see how it goes.
I hope it helps.
- Sid
> Hello,
>
> How do you know when to come off an antidepressant like prozac ? What happenes when you do ?
>
> thanks
Posted by spike4848 on January 28, 2002, at 20:12:09
In reply to How do you know its time to stop ?, posted by janejj on January 28, 2002, at 17:21:29
> Hello,
>
> How do you know when to come off an antidepressant like prozac ? What happenes when you do ?
>
> thanksThe textbook answer is if it your first episode of depression, after 9 to 12 months start to taper the meds. Studies show anything shorter like 6 months gives greater chance of relapse. For the second episode, kinda murky. For the third, consider life maintainance medication.
Of course life doesn't revolve around textbook definitions and as an earlier post said, your doctor would probably know best .... that is your situation, your coping skills, the degree of your recovery, family history .....
Ciao,
Spike
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.