So I’ve been on antidepressants for only 2 years which isn’t long compared to others but I just wanted to share a little something about my personal experience with taking them and coming off them, just in case anyone out there is interested about taking them.
I was in a dark place which I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel which I knew I needed help with taking the edge of it all. I first contacted my doctors which they responded with “just go for a run and you’ll be fine and I’m not going to let you have antidepressants because you just need to find another coping mechanism”. So I took matters into my own hands and contacted a private practice which they helped me by diagnosing me with depression and anxiety, which then they put me onto antidepressants.
At the start I felt off and my head felt like I wasn’t fully with it for a week, I had some short tempers which I noticed and apologise to everyone and explained to them its the medication.
After the first initial week of going through the transformation I started to feel like that weight on my shoulders was lighter, I started feeling less tired and just overall a little better within myself. I kept on going to therapy to talk about my problems and some of the issues I was trying to deal with.
As time went on I got put on some stronger medication due to my stress levels increasing, which made me even more determined to come off them (I’m not against medication I just don’t want to live a life dependent on them). I still kept on going to the gym and kept on going to therapy to help manage with my mental health.
I finally got given a chance of getting away from all the pain and suffering I had experience by keeping myself busy by looking at another house to hopefully move into which finally happened. I now live in the new house which has given me a new light in my life. Got my dream job and made loads more new friends and was able to reconnect with some old friends as well.
After living my new and improved life for a year I’ve finally been given the green light to come off the antidepressants which I ended crying with joy because it proved that if you put time and effort and just keep on being persistent you can achieve anything even things that seem unreachable during the time frame.
The first week of coming off the antidepressants I sadly experienced withdrawal symptoms which kicked my ass big time I was throwing up and had shivers for two days straight which I contacted my doctor and we’ve come up with a plan of action so instead of coming off them from weaning myself off I had to do it slower than most people which meant I’m now taking 3/4 of the pill and then after a week going down to 1/2 a pill for another week then 1/4 of a pill to help reduce the withdrawals.
The reason to why I’m writing this is to help encourage people to not give up no matter how difficult or challenging life can be and that you can make the changes to help sort through the bad times. And that if you’re want anything to change you have to be the change.
Beyond Borders & Balance 