I need a nurse or doctor? antidepressant question?

Question

I want to know what the criteria is for someone needing to be on anti-depressants. What is the difference between someone who can simply attend therapy and someone who needs to be medicated?

My nurse (LPN) insists that I need to be on anti-depressants and to not come off of them. My psychologist has no opinion on the matter and doesn't really give me an answer as to whether I need them or don't need them.

I am stubborn and want to just be off of them because I feel like I can do it on my own but I am scared of what might happen. The withdrawal could be bad, but is it bad because my body is reacting to the lack of the drug OR because I really "needed" the drug?

Answer 1

There is no objective test for clinical depression. It comes down to your physician's opinion. Have you seen those ads where the announcer says, "Only your doctor can determine if you have depression"? That's not true. Only YOU can determine if you have depression. Only YOUR DOCTOR can prescribe antidepressants.

If you don't wish to take these meds, then slowly taper off them. Withdrawal from SSRI drugs is not a major concern. AFTER you have completely stopped the medication, try to get by on your own or seek therapy. Give it a chance. If it doesn't work then this is an indication that you really should be taking medication.

Answer 2

I a,m not a nurse or a doctor, but have been in the same situation.  If you want to quit them, quit them.  I was told I would go into a comma if I quit, but I set my mind to get off of them and be better, and nothing happened.  Good luck.

Answer 3

The field of psychiatry is so nuanced that it can be very difficult to sum up whether a patient may require meds only, therapy or both.  It's based on many factors including the patient-therapist relationship, the patient's lifestyle, the physician's own experience and their discussions during sessions that really determine the course of treatment.  Every case is different.

Stopping cold turkey or improper tapering is very bad with anti-depressants...your brain has become dependent on the increased levels of neurotransmitters and sudden stoppage in clinical studies have shown symptoms ranging from severe flu like symptoms, shock-like sensations, agitation, impaired memory and even suicidal thoughts.  

If you really feel like you want to be off of them, you should make your psychiatrist very well aware of this fact and be sure to explain why.  You can then explore the reasons for continuing or discontinuing your medication with your physician.  Then if you are both in agreement a controlled discontinuation of the antidepressant under your doctor's care may begin.  

Good luck to you.