Stopping anti-depressants.

I was on Citalopram for a number of years, and stopped them much the same as yourself, gradually and under medical supervision. I don’t think there is anything wrong with you.

Your body gets used to this medication and after taking it for a long time, it can take a while for it to recover. You haven’t said how long ago you actually stopped taking them, or how long a period of tapering you had, but there will be a period of adjustment and low mood, anxiety and tearfulness are some of the side effects of withdrawal. It doesn’t mean that your anxiety or depression is returning, just that you are adjusting to being without the medication. I had much the same thing for a few weeks after coming off the drug, and it gradually stopped over time. If you’re worried, have a word with your GP and I’m sure they’ll reassure you. Glad you’re in a good place and happy, and I hope you feel better soon.

I came off anti depressants very gradually, like you, but about 10 years ago.

It is absolutely normal to feel down when confronted with issues that affect you. It doesn’t mean you need to go back onto anti depressants. That is something which is only needed when you have a long term inability to shake off depression.

My late mother looked so like the queen whose death has revived the loss I felt when my mother died. Many people feel the Queen’s loss as she is the only monarch they have known. So you are not alone in feeling low but the feeling will pass.

Nothing is wrong with you Alice. You are human like the rest of us. ?

I think at the moment the Queens death has made many people emotional and caused us to remember losing our parents and feel a bit weepy I certainly do. You have done so well with coming off your tablets it must have taken a real effort so well done. Maybe you could do some relaxation classes, yoga or something to help calm you, it’s still early days at the moment in a national emotional time so just give it time.

Espee, the Queen looked very much like my Mum too (Mum was one year older than her) and I think that is adding to the tearfulness.

AskAlice - what you are experiencing is very normal. I was working as a Health Visitor when Princess Diana died; many people who had mild depression (or like you, were finding their mental health improving) found themselves quite set back at that time.
An experienced psychologist told me that he had found a similar reaction, working in the US at the time of Kennedy's death.
I can't tell you whether you should resume a low dose for a short time to see you over this, or accept a couple of weeks of tearfulness - but I can tell you this is normal, and hope that helps.

I think AskAlice the combination of multiple events in your life just now has quite understandably made you feel this way.
You’ve done brilliantly in a sensible manner under the right supervision.
I can’t say if you need the drugs again, but your reaction under the circumstances is perfectly normal ?

Have you thought about trying St. John's Wort?

Thank you all for your reassurances and for taking the time to reply. I will see how I go over the next couple of weeks and contact my GP if my mood doesn't lift or gets worse. bohemian I did think about alternatives to the anti-depressant medication but would rather try to wait and see if I feel better before replacing one pill with another, even if it is more "natural".

boheminan

Have you thought about trying St. John's Wort?

Just to be on the safe side, anyone thinking of taking St. John's Wort should first check with their GP or pharmacist. St. John's Wort can react negatively with several prescription medicines.

AskAlice I too stopped long term anti depressants. Its about 3 years now since I stopped completely. In that time I lost both parents and have been diagnosed with Blood Cancer so I had some set backs! Its all down to recognising whether its sadness or depression.
I have bad days when I can feel the Black Dog hovering but I have the support of 2 very good friends who understand and are there for me. I also think back to the various sessions of CBT and counselling I had and try to act on what I was advised.
Sometimes it is just your mind wanting to express the emotion it is feeling such as the sadness when we lose a loved one. The brain is a wonderful thing but it doesnt always do what it is supposed to do! Sometimes as well we worry ourselves into low moods. Find something which you know gives you peace. It could be a walk in the park or looking at photos of Grandchildren or even some crappy TV, it doesnt matter what it is do it!
You know when you are feeling in need of someone to talk to come on GN we are all here for you. X

HAZBEEN, thank you. I think I have to train myself to get used to having sad feelings without assuming it is a re-occurence of my previous depression. My logical brain tells me that everyone feels a bit down at times - even when I was taking anti-depressants I had those feelings sometimes. I just need to remind myself that it will pass! Definitely going to concentrate on things that make me feel happy, as you say.

HAZBEEN forgot to say, so sorry for your recent sadness

I have a very similar experience. Over 20 years medicated and then weaned off it gradually.

I reached my target to be medication free and felt huge relief and personal satisfaction on no longer being dependant.

However, rather than praise my efforts and success to be medication free, the GP is somewhat scathing.

When I was working, the anti depressants were what kept me going and were completely necessary but since retiring I prefer to believe that whilst I still experience low mood, depression and anxiety, I can manage it without medication.

I have also been on Citalopram for years but have no intention of trying to wean myself off. I certainly would not attempt it at this time when the wall to wall coverage of the Queen's death has made me very depressed. It invokes memories of all our family bereavements, particularly my beloved Husband's (anniversary this month) which was at the height of the pandemic, therefore only 20 masked mourners allowed at his funeral all sitting far apart. It is so upsetting to contrast all the fuss and disruption over a woman whom most of us have never met, with the poor send off my DH got.

Hi AskAlice ,

You are not alone .
Many people are extremely upset by the death of the Queen .

I think that it's a shock though we knew that her health was deteriorating .

I can hardly bear to watch the tributes .
My father is so distressed that I've had to put films on to distract him .

Please don't suffer .

Weaning yourself off antidepressants is admirable and difficult .

If you can't elevate your spirits with little treats like walks , a cream tea , the cinema with friends then please try a herbal alternative to antidepressants if the
pharmacist advises you that you can take something like St John's Wort .

Hopefully when this period of mourning is over and we come to terms with the changes ... you'll slowly feel better .

Wishing you well .

Esmay said "Weaning yourself off antidepressants is admirable". I don't understand why you say this. I think there is no shame in being on antidepressants if taking them allows you to function better and not be such a moaning Minnie when engaging with others around you.

Granny23

Esmay said "Weaning yourself off antidepressants is admirable". I don't understand why you say this. I think there is no shame in being on antidepressants if taking them allows you to function better and not be such a moaning Minnie when engaging with others around you.

I have to agree with you. There's far too much shame and stigma associated with anxiety, depressions and similar conditions as it is, without making those of us who do take antidepressants feel even worse. If you want to give them up - then that's fine (but please do so in a proper, controlled manner), but it doesn't make those who rely on them weak or stupid. Some of us are content to keep taking them and lead as normal a life as we can.

I agree too Blondiescot and Granny23
I’ve found that antidepressants help me to keep things in perspective.
I’m in no hurry to stop taking them (unlike prescription painkillers, but that’s another thread)
Granny23 and I’m so sorry about your husband

No offence was meant to any gransnetters .
on antidepressants .

So apologies .

That’s okay, no harm done. Thank you Esmay

I couldn't agree more Granny, Blondiescot and Fanny. I've always thought that if I suffered from any other illness that required medication I wouldn't think twice about taking it under medical supervision and depression is no different. I know very well how much it has helped me through some very difficult times and helped me to be "myself" again. That doesn't mean that I shouldn't see how I cope without it after all these years. If I need to return to taking anti-depressants, then so be it. There should be no stigma attached.

I have been on and off citaloprram since 1999 because of the menopause...I couldn't take Hrt so ended up being prescribed antidepressants. I lost my mother and father during covid and I am at this moment back on the meds....I have no intention of ever coming back off them....Its a struggle coming off them and then a nightmare for me when I first start them again...I'm to old now to keep doing this to myself....I'm also feeling a bit of happiness in my life again which I think we all deserve after covid....

I decided to come off mine when my much beloved cat died, and I just couldn't feel anything. I realised that my emotions were flattened, the relief from abject despair was tremendous, but I couldn't feel sad when I should have done, and equally I couldn't feel ecstatically happy either. Grief is a part of life that we need to go through, as HM said, the price we pay for love. But never come off them without the agreement of your GP.