How to Stop Taking Anti-Depressants

If you have been on anti-depressants for anxiety or depression, there might come a time when you feel the need to stop taking your medication. Maybe you only want to adjust the dose, or maybe stop taking them altogether. Either way, it's important to know ahead of time how altering your medication will affect you. There are some steps you can take to limit negative side effects from stopping a long term medication.

Instructions

• 1

  Wean off medication slowly. Never stop taking a medication all at once. It's important to very slowly reduce the amount of medication. For example, if you take two pills per day, start taking 1 1/2 pills and continue on that for a week or two. After that, reduce the amount to one pill. Continue reducing the dosage until you stop altogether.

• 2

  Be aware of personality changes. If you are reducing your medication and suddenly find yourself irritable or unstable, know that it is an effect of withdrawals. Crying, anger, and sleeplessness can all be side effects of drug withdrawal, especially with SSRIs. Take half or one of your pills to eliminate these feelings when they come. It should stop the effect. Next time, reduce more slowly.

• 3

  Use therapy. Many mental health conditions are caused by underlying issues. Being in therapy or having someone to talk to about the stresses in life can help prevent your condition from returning. If you have an anxiety disorder, it's important to know your triggers and address the reasons why you have the disorder in the first place. Don't discount good therapy.

• 4

  Get support. Let your family and friends know what's going on. They can tell you if you are undergoing any major personality shifts because of the drug reduction. Let them help you through this difficult time.