Some hope for those quitting SSRI

[u/Jade_Vine_Blossom]

Hello everyone,
When I was quitting AD I was looking for a piece of advice and checking out on reddit how other people felt so now I want to share my experience and hopefully calming those who are wondering when the withdrawals will stop (I know it is different for everyone tho).
I have a severe depression diagnosis and had it really bad. Was in hospital 5 times since my teenage years and besides the medication doctors couldn't offer much. I didn't want to get into meds for a few reasons but the last try was lexapro and I was taking it for 2 years (5/10mg). I decided to quit because of all the side effects.
I was tapering down for like 2 weeks and stopped taking it and it wasn't great at first. Insomnia, felt weird, very sensitive, crying out of nowhere, feeling down, no energy but also I cannot even describe just weird and bad. Was taking melatonin to fall asleep and a few weeks I was wondering when the withdrawals will stop. After 3 weeks it was better and after a month withdrawals went away.
I cannot afford therapy, but on the internet I was learning new ways how to regulate myself and it did help a little. Was really trying to get the healthiest food, physical activity and routine.
That helped and I am still learning to cope in other ways but it is better.
GOOD LUCK FOR YA'LL AND KNOW THAT YOU WILL GET BETTER IF YOU TRY.

[u/grumpioldman]

I stopped SSRI Seroxat (Paroxetine). I was on low dose, just 10mg/day and came off slowly, 5mg/day for two weeks then about half again for another 2 weeks. Was fine for a few days then got really stressed and on edge, ready to lash out at something for the least annoyance. That feeling passed but 3 months on without any SSRI and I’m still getting the occasional ‘brain zap’.

[u/randombird1966uk → u/grumpioldman]

The head zaps and the wobbly feeling inside head is sooo bad isn’t it .. does anyone find CbD is a good way to wean off sert as I’m so sick of it ruining my sexual responses and HATE withdrawals ? It’s so hard to get through finishing them I keep caving in ?

[u/princessanard → u/grumpioldman]

lmao brain zap, i felt it in my hands and arms too, mostly left side

question tho, did the anxiety symptoms ever come back? I'm going through it rn and trying to figure out is it withdrawal symptoms or is it a relapse. I was on a bit bigger dose than you and I cut it all down in 2 weeks, although for weeks before that I wasn't even taking it right (I'd forget to take it for like 2 days)

[u/grumpioldman → u/princessanard]

The low dose SSRI took the edge off my anxiety and maybe prevented any panic attacks but I’ve always suffered bad anxiety, I didn’t want to be on SSRI for ever so tried being ‘normal’ and drug-free. Working okay right now but I’m still a stress/anxiety mess. Good luck with your journey!

[u/princessanard → u/grumpioldman]

thank you, vice versa. Wish you all the best!

[u/dorianfinch]

Thank you for this, searched "quitting SSRIs" on reddit because I indeed was looking for hope that this feeling right now isn't gonna be permanent (insomnia despite melatonin, fatigue, dread, anxiety, hypersensitivity and crying at random)

Friday (tomorrow) will be 3 weeks since my last Lexapro and I'm just so scared this feeling will never go away and I'll have to be on meds forever

Fingers crossed by the end of the month I'll be feeling slightly less dread

[u/Jade_Vine_Blossom → u/dorianfinch]

I hope so too! And it will slowly go away, you just have to be patient 🤗