Posted by OldSchool on March 27, 2002, at 21:04:17
On this site there is much discussion of why antidepressants poop out or "fade out" or whatever you wish to call it. Some claim its caused by gradual dopaminergic depletion, as is seen with longterm use of SSRIs or atypical anti-psychotics. Others claim its subtle bipolar traits that can be solved with the addition of lithium or lamictal.
However, I have my own personal beliefs concerning the biggest reason why meds poop out. I believe the SINGLE biggest reason why ADs stop working good is what I dub the "start and stop" phenomenon. When you go on an antidepressant for a while, even for a short period of a few weeks, then stop it, then restart it, it seems like it almost never has the same original "punch" or activation it had in the beginning. one of my psychiatrists once told me that repeatedly starting and stopping the same antidepressant, particularly within a short time frame, was one of the worst things you can do if you are depressed. I agree with him. He told me that doing this, "does things" which makes the meds not work good.
That has been my experience. More than anything else Ive done, starting and stopping a med makes it not work good anymore.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:100623
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020327/msgs/100623.html