Antidepressants are a class of drugs used to treat various mood disorders including major depression. These medications help stabilize a person 's brain chemicals to improve mood.https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antidepressants.html Generally, you must take antidepressants for several weeks in order to enjoy any positive benefits. After taking these drugs for a prolonged period of time, you may choose to discontinue treatment for some reason. Keep in mind, that you should never stop taking your antidepressants without consulting with your doctor. Here 's what you need to know.
[[Category:Depression]]
== Steps ==
===Deciding to Go Off Antidepressants===
#Determine your reason for wanting to stop your antidepressants. The use of these
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Depending on your insurance or specific lifestyle, it may be expensive to keep taking your antidepressant medication. Before quitting the meds on your own, discuss the issue with your doctor. He may be able to prescribe a generic or lower-cost version for you.http://www.cigna.com/healthwellness/hw/medical-topics/depression-zx3018
#Recognize that quitting antidepressants puts you at risk for withdrawal. Abruptly discontinuing your antidepressant medication can cause withdrawal symptoms. If your antidepressant affects the chemical serotonin in the brain, your body will experience physical and emotional symptoms when the medication is discontinued.
#*These symptoms are frequently referred to as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and will affect one in five individuals who are on antidepressants for six weeks or longer.http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/withdrawal-from-antidepressants
#*These symptoms do not indicate addiction to antidepressants as this class of medications is not habit-forming. Rather, they reflect the body 's reaction to suddenly stopping your medication regimen. These symptoms can be prevented or minimized by gradually going off your
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#Stay on the tapering schedule your doctor prescribes. The specific tapering schedule your doctor suggests will depend on how long you have been taking the drug, which drug you have been taking, the current dose, and how you responded to previous medication changes.http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/going-off-antidepressants The purpose of tapering is to allow your brain the time to adapt to lesser amounts of the meds without negative side effects.
#*Your schedule is customized and might not be the same schedule a friend or co-worker uses. The amount of time to discontinue antidepressants can vary from a week to several months, depending on your own circumstances.
#Alert your doctor if you experience severe side effects. As you reduce the amount of antidepressant medication you are taking, you may experience bothersome symptoms that impact your functioning. You might also notice a return of your depressive symptoms that indicate relapse.
#*During this time, it is pertinent that you stay in communication with your doctor. He or she may need to alter the tapering regimen you are on to a higher dose or a more gradual taper in order to overcome negative side effects or prevent