Posted by 49er on March 28, 2009, at 17:23:42
In reply to Re: Stopping w. AD or not? I am feeling better? » 49er, posted by SLS on March 28, 2009, at 14:58:09
Hi Scott
<<It is not unexpected that you and I should have differing opinions from time to time. Your opinions are welcome and refreshing.>>
I think I would die of shock if we agreed. In all seriousness, I appreciate your remark.
<<I believe that to allow someone to relapse unnecessarily by discontinuing an antidepressant prematurely, the risk of severe depression and suicide is too high to justify.>>
I think that assumption is based on the fact that meds are tapered way too quickly. I would love to see if that would hold up if people were tapered slowly at the rate I suggest. But psychiatrists will never do that.
<<There are many studies demonstrating the need for 6-9 months of treatment after remission is achieved to prevent relapse. This is for someone's first depressive episode only. For the second and third episodes, 18 months is favored. For chronic of recurrent depressions, treatment may need to be indefinite.>>
Again, that is based on the fact that withdrawal symptoms are confused as a return if the illness. That isn't just 49er's opinion as Joseph Glenmullen, suggests that.
<<I hope that you continue to feel better with your discontinuation of antidepressants. If I am not mistaken, though, you have been on antidepressants for longer than 9 months? I don't see that you can yet use yourself as an example of your contention.>>
And you can't validly assume you are right either as I feel those studies are based on false premises. And I am not the only one who is succeeding after being on meds for a long time which is 10 plus years.
<<Most relapses occur during the first 4 months after discontinuation, This often is an indication that longer periods of treatment are necessary. In other words, it might be premature to pass judgment on one's need for continued treatment based on how one feels immediately after discontinuation, especially since some people experience a rebound improvement just for lowering the dosage of the drug they are tapering or discontinuing.>>
Again, your premise is based on tapering schedules that are way too fast. Let me give you an example Scott.
Laurie Yorke, is an RN who runs the Paxil Progress Boards. Her son, Ryan, became psychotic due to a way too fast tapering schedule on Paxil. You would have assumed he needed to be on meds for life.
Well, 5 years post being off Paxil, he is doing great. Has no signs of mental illness whatsoever. There are plenty of Ryans but unfortunately, they don't have advocates like an RN.
<<It is sometimes difficult to avoid generalizing one's personal experiences onto the majority. I still have a tendency to do this.>>
>
Scott, I realize that just because I can get off meds, not everyone can do so. But to imply it is impossible and that people will commit suicide isn't accurate either.49er
poster:49er
thread:887227
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090322/msgs/887439.html