life after anti-depressants

I was on anti depressants for a short time, i was told to stay on them longer but as they were effecting me too much and i wasn't able to go back to work for a few weeks due to them i decided to stop taking them and i am abit better without them but i am left with some memory loss as i tend to forget things quite often because of taking them... i now regret agreeing to take them as prescribed by a doctor.

I was on anti depressants for about 5 years and I have now been off them for around 4 years, I managed to control a lot of my problems with breathing and talking to certain people that I trust about my problems but everyone is different, every so often I feel like I am getting depressed and I have to sit down and figure what it is that is causing the problem and fix it. I have figured out alot of things, like I cant work full time, I can only work around 25 hours a week without crashing and burning. I am very aware of my moods and in touch with my feelings and this helps me alot. Good luck with it all!

I suffer depression for 15 years. Thank God I recovered end of last year. I think the depression ends after I do one thing that makes my parent happy, pray a lot, and after I take honey regularly. I dont know how to help you, but you can try the things that I have done. Good luck!

Gee that is tough going. I have been on Anti Depressants a couple of times in my life for just a few months at a time. I have always wanted to read the Margret Kidder book because she takes care of her mental illness with the help of a doctore who deals with depression and other mental problems with vitamins and other natural means. I have not found the book yet to read it but it might be something for you! I hope you find what you are looking for!

My wife has been on various medications for depression, ocd and various other things for the past 12 years, and at this stage, she is happy to continue on with them, as she knows how things can be if she doesn't take them. She is handling things ok right now, and her biggest fear is to slip back to the low of her teenage years, and end up back in hospital. Even with her medication, she still struggles some days, and she finds this is a clear enough indication that she does need to stay on them.

I think that depends on the cause of your depression...a chemical imbalance will not just go away. I have tried a couple of times to give up my anti depressants thinking...I feel good now so why take them? Both times were a mistake I just ended up back where I had started...depressed. I can say switching off of prozac and onto Bupropion/Wellbutrin made a big difference for me. i first asked my doctor for it to quit smoking and it was amazing how it works for that... then asked hey why not keep me on that and treat my depression as well and get rid of the prozac he agreed was a gread idea. I've been comfortable with it for several years now.

Lots of my friends did that and are functioning just fine. We have a group called "The Freedom Center near where I live that advocates for patient choice around med taking for mental illnesses.

How sad. I've been going through this for 15 years as well. I have only been taking medicine for about 10 years though and not straight. I've been on and off medicine as well. I dont think honestly I can ever go off anti-depressants again. I think I will have to take them for the rest of my life because I am just insane without them.

I think it maybe depending on the type of depression. I am not a Dr. So I wouldn't suggest anyone to go off meds with out medical supervision. However, here are some things That I have done during and after the use of medication for depression. #1 by far is Exercise! regular exercise helps, 2. day light (out side is best for a few hours each day. (can be broken up into short trips outside) I live in sunny south Florida so I can go out just about any day. I LOVE my swing on the back porch! However, if the weather doesn't permit going outside, open all the blinds/curtains and keep your home as SUNNY as possible though out the day. 3. Regular bed time. I have a routine most days, nice bubble bath with aroma therapy oils and relaxing music NO TV or Computer at least an hour before bed. just "Me" time. 4. limit TV and computer time, pick a couple of your fav shows and watch them. computers can suck our souls out if we let them... instead, try listening to your fav music, dance & sing too! (like nobody's watching) 5. gardening, there is something magical about growing stuff. start with one or two and go from there. 6. MEDITATION great each day with some sort of stillness, and learn to meditate (there are web sites and books about learning it) you may find that it will be your "go to" option if feeling stressed, down or frustrated. Remember, Depression is Anger turned inward! 7. If don't work, volunteer a few hours a week somewhere. start slow, don't jumping too fast, we tend to find something that "feels good" and then quickly are in over our heads.... part of the cycle of depression. 8. hobby's, are good, painting, writing, crafts, singing, an instrument... the sky is the limit, but make sure it is something that you don't need the computer or tv too much for other than ideas or research. 9.Therapy, it helps to have someone who gets it to talk to, if that isn't possible, join a group of some sort. look in your area or contact your local mental health center to find what is out there. they are often free or low cost. 10. Remember that like attracts like, the MORE you focus on depression, the more depressed you may feel, find a better feeling thought for the moment and focus on that, it only takes about 7 seconds to physically change your feeling, learning breathing methods can truly make a world of difference. Try this now, Take a deep breath in to the count of 4, hold that breath for the count of 4, then release that breath to the count of 4. do it several times and you WILL feel the physical release... as you practice that over then next few weeks, every time you have a moment of stress or depression (repeat as needed) then move to 5 seconds. it is called "square breathing. Find what ever moment of gratitude you can and savor it! Be Well,

Well they have more sideeffects causing weight gain and skin problems too.I believe in meditation, its will balance all disorders of body and mind.

The so called anti-depressents are habit forming, once started you go on increasing the doses, and these may cause damage to vital organs. Everybody feel depressed in some point of life, i too. i never take any medicine, but pray in my worship room, deep breathing too helps thank you so much for sharing happy posting cheers kalyani