It was a day in April, 2017. I remember it was Maundy Thursday and I was lying on the couch. The TV was on, but I had my eyes closed because my head felt like it was exploding. I was feeling nauseous, dizzy and couldn’t properly stand on my feet. I had only managed to eat half a sandwich that day. It was the day after I started taking antidepressants.

Side effects

The start was tough. I had a lot of side effects; dizziness, stomach ache, fatigue, headache, tremors and the feeling of someone pulling my skin. Not everyone has the same physical response to antidepressants. Some only have a few side effects, while others have many. Despite the many side effects I experienced in the beginning, it didn’t occur to me to stop taking antidepressants. At that point, I had been in therapy for a year without any progress; it actually got worse. The worst side effects were gone after 1.5 to 2 weeks, but it took me a total of 6 weeks before I was completely free of side effects.

Effects

After about two months I felt the antidepressants were starting to take effect. The heavy gloom I once felt, wasn’t as present anymore. Going outside didn’t cause as much fear and I was able to follow my lectures a little bit better than before. Of course, 

antidepressants aren’t panacea, and taking them won’t immediately resolve your depression. In addition to taking medication, I was still in therapy. The combination of pills and talking with someone gave my head and body a little more rest.

Resistance

After taking antidepressants for about two years, I developed an aversion to the pills. I took them very irregularly and felt a lot of resistance to take them. It still isn’t clear to me where that feeling of resistance came from. It probably had something to do with me wanting to fight my depression and PTSD ‘by myself’. I went to my psychiatrist at the time and asked him if I could start tapering off the antidepressants. He said if I really wanted this, he would help me with this. My psychologist at the time, however, did not think it was such a good idea.

Eventually I started to reduce to 0 mg, which felt really good at first. But after a few months things went wrong. I was at my lowest again, was crying a lot and my thoughts took me to the darkest places I have ever been. the realisation grew that I needed the pills to be able to function somewhat normally again. So I started building up again, but this time the dose I had before wasn’t good enough. Only after raising it, I started to notice a difference. When I look back to when I decided to taper down my antidepressants, I now realize that this wasn’t such a good idea. I hadn’t even had the most severe trauma therapy, and wasn’t where I needed to be yet.

What next?

Today I still take my antidepressants. I am no longer in therapy, because that’s no longer necessary. I feel very good and am happy with the place I am in life right now. A few weeks ago the idea of ‘tapering down’ crossed my mind again. For now, I will see what happens for a few more months. If I feel that the time is right, then I will start tapering down again.

Love,

Ghyta

 

Would you like to know more about anti-depressants, the effects and how you can best taper down? Try reading “A look at antidepressants” of “Quitting antidepressants” by Nurse Specialist GGZ Daniëlle Coenjaerts.

Each month we focus on a new theme on the NiceDay blog. In the month of July, this theme was “a new phase”. We all go through big changes during our lives, whether it’s the end of a relationship, taking on a new job or having a child. Some people love taking on new challenges, whilst others might dread it. Would you like to read more on this subject? We have listed all of our recent blogs for you:

Big changes can cause stress and anxiety. We all know that this can have a major effect on our mental wellbeing, but did you know that it can also have an effect on your skin? In this blog we discuss how that works and what you can do about it.

The corona pandemic constantly causes change, and every once in a while we find ourselves in a new phase. At first, we weren’t allowed to leave our homes, but now we’re slowly starting to find our way in our new lives. But what does this mean for physical connections? Sharlene discusses a new way of hugging: the corona hug.

In the first of two blogs, nurse specialist GGZ Daniëlle Coenjaerts, discusses the use of antidepressants. What is it exactly, how does it work and what does it mean for you if you’re planning on using them?

Anne is a psychologist and started to feel gloomy and insecure. She had been treated in the past, but started an online treatment via NiceDay during the start of the corona crisis. In this blog she explains how she’s experienced her treatment.

Change, new opportunities or challenges, new places: we often find it quite scary. But why do we dislike change this much? Why do new things make us feel anxious? NiceDay psychologist Wouter discusses it in his blog.

Evy was in the prime of her life, but suddenly had to deal with something she’d never felt before: she had a panic attack. She started her treatment at NiceDay and talks about her experience in this blog.

Each day is filled with new chances and opportunities. There is always a place for a new beginning! But how do you cease those opportunities, how do you get more out of your life? We have listed six tips that might be able to help you. 

What will happen when you end your relationship? It can be a very stressful and anxious situation, also for the one who chose to break up. How do you move on after a relationship? NiceDay psychologist Sarah offers you some advice in her blog.

In the 2nd blog of Nurse Specialist GGZ Daniëlle Coenjaerts, she discusses what it means to quit antidepressants. How do you do this, what can you expect and what does it mean for you?

Corona has a huge effect on all of us and many feel like we are being forced to stand still for a while. Time standing still has caused a change in a lot of people’s lives: they have started to live more consciously. NiceDay psychologist Britt discusses it in her blog.

Change, loss, or large societal issues can sometimes be hard to process. In such a new phase, acceptance can help you handle the situation better. Read more about it in this article.

For a lot of people, new year is the start of a healthier life. But, you can choose that it is time for a new phase at any moment in your life. For example, when it comes to a more healthy and conscious life. Important is to make a habit out of healthy living. Here are a few tips that might help you with that!

The big “normal” no longer exists. There are many different ways to give substance to your life and there is no standard that you have to meet. It’s more about finding a “good match” than doing “something good.”

 

In my previous blog I explained what antidepressants are, and in this blog I will talk more about quitting antidepressants. Where do you start and what should you pay attention to? The following ten tips might be helpful:

1. List the advantages and disadvantages

If you want to stop taking antidepressants, ask yourself the following questions:

– Why am I thinking about quitting antidepressants?

– How well did the antidepressants help?

– Do I suffer (much) from side effects?

– What are other advantages and disadvantages for me?

2. Talk about it with your loved ones

It is not always easy to talk to the people around you about your use of antidepressants, but that does not make it any less important. People who are close to you often have a very good idea of how you’re really doing. Even though they may have an opinion about antidepressants, they often just want you to be happy. So try to understand how your partner, children and close friends think about your use of antidepressants. For example, have they seen that quitting has been unsuccessful in the past, or have they seen up close that antidepressants did or did not help? This information can help you make your decision.

3. Know your facts about antidepressants

To make a good decision about quitting antidepressant, you need to know the facts. If you know the difference between facts and myths of antidepressants, you can make a better decision. Look for reliable sources and independent websites, and discuss them with your healthcare professional or doctor.

4. Quit for the right reasons

Almost everyone who used or uses antidepressants knows the voice that occasionally pops up: “Why can’t you do it yourself? Am I weak for using antidepressants?”. It is a huge misunderstanding that the use of antidepressants is the easy way out. Don’t let yourself be influenced by these negative thoughts when you consider quitting.

5. Pick the right time

Pick the right time to stop your antidepressants. It wouldn’t be wise to stop using them during a stressful period in your life, with little stability. Think about a divorce, relationship problems, stress at work or major financial concerns. It is also not wise to stop if you still suffer from gloomy feelings or anxiety. Wait for a time when you feel stable and have peace of mind.

6. Know what to expect

Always talk to your healthcare professional or doctor when you’re thinking about quitting antidepressants. It is also very important that you know what to expect when you do stop taking antidepressants, because you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Not everyone will, around 20 – 40% of people do.

The most common withdrawal symptoms are flu-like symptoms, such as muscle pain, nausea, headache, sweating, tiredness and dizziness. You can also experience irritability, sleeping problems, anxiety and mood swings. The complaints usually occur a few days after the dose reduction, and usually last about 1 to 4 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms are of course very unpleasant, but that does not mean that quitting antidepressants is always difficult or that it is impossible. This is different for everyone. Beside, it is important to realize that withdrawal symptoms are something other than a relapse.

7. Make a good reduction plan

If you want to stop your antidepressants, a good reduction plan is very important. You should not leave anything to chance. Make sure you are well prepared and discuss this plan with your healthcare professional or doctor. He or she will take into account the type of medicine you use, the duration of the treatment, the amount of the dose and of course your own preference and any previous experiences with quitting.

8. Take your time

I cannot emphasize this enough: take your time when reducing antidepressants. Don’t pressure yourself to stop in a certain amount of time, but allow yourself the space to do it at your own pace.

9. Drops or tapering strips can help

Sometimes it is not possible to stop antidepressants with a good reduction plan and clear agreements alone, for example when you suffer a lot from withdrawal symptoms. In that case, quitting antidepressants “normally” with pills can be difficult. Fortunately, some antidepressants are also available in drop form or tapering strips, which makes it easier to reduce the dose gradually. 

10. Don’t try to stop at all costs

If you’re having difficulty quitting, or when the antidepressant you’re taking is actually making your life a whole lot better, than one of the options is to keep on using it. Don’t rule out this possibility because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do. But most of all, if you are considering quitting antidepressants, always discuss this with your doctor or practitioner.

Maybe you’ve heard of them: antidepressants. The name might give you an idea, but what are they exactly, what are they used for and how long can you use them? Read more about it in this blog.

What are antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medicines that are used to reduce signs of depression, and are administered in tablets, capsules or liquid form. Antidepressants restore the balance of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in your brain. They have an effect on the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved with the regulation of the mood and emotions. Research has shown that a shortage of these two neurotransmitters can lead to depression, among other things. What exactly causes such a shortage is a lot more complex. Several factors including genetic, social and environmental factors play a role in this.

A helping hand

Antidepressants aren’t miracle drugs that can cure depression or depressive symptoms. Depression rarely has only one cause, let alone a biological one that is easily remedied with a medicine. It is better to consider antidepressants as a helping hand. They are used to reduce your complaints, so that you have more energy to deal with other aspects of your life. Therefore, antidepressants are often prescribed in combination with therapy, in which you can work on the underlying causes of your complaints.

How quickly does it take effect?

Keep in mind that it can take several weeks before you can notice of the antidepressants. Research has shown that the biggest effect occurs between the third and sixth week of treatment. If not even the slightest improvement has occurred in the first four weeks, it makes little sense to continue treatment with the same antidepressant. Then it may be wise to try a different type of antidepressant.

How long can you use antidepressants?

After you have recovered from a depression through therapy and medication, you often receive the advice to continue using your antidepressants up to one year. This is very important and needed to prevent a relapse of your depression.

How to take medication correctly for a longer period of time?

It’s a lot harder than you might think to take medication correctly for a longer period of time. This is especially the case when complaints have disappeared for some time, but the advice is to keep on using the medicines. It helps to integrate the medication into your daily routine, for example by always taking them with dinner or before brushing your teeth.

When and how can you stop taking antidepressants?

If it’s the first time you’ve had a depression the dose can be gradually reduced six months after your recovery. Have you had a depression before, then the usual term is 12 months after your recovery. However, phasing out antidepressants isn’t a “one size fits all”. There are no fixed rules, except that it should be done gradually.

Would you like to know more about quitting antidepressants? In my next blog I will give ten tips that may be helpful.

There are a lot of misconceptions about depression. Read more about it in this blog.