Antidepressants are taken by about 13 percent of the population in the U.S. For some – like women between 50 and 64 – that number goes up to one in four, 25 percent. How easy is it to stop taking antidepressants? Without help from a prescription drug rehab professional, you could go through hell for months.
There are different kinds of ‘addictions’. Some drugs – like heroin, OxyContin and similar street or prescription drugs, benzodiazepines, and others – create a physical and mental dependence. Others, while a person might not have a craving for them and aren’t addicted from that point of view, can have such disastrous withdrawal symptoms that they would rather continue the drug than experience withdrawal.
Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms
Some people experience really severe withdrawal symptoms and, for others, the symptoms are quite mild. No one really knows beforehand how a person will react or why it can be so much more difficult for some than others. The list of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms is long and can include (but are not limited to):
- Anxiety
- Balance problems
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Electric shock sensations
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Irritability
- Light-headedness
- Loss of coordination
- Mood swings
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Suicidal ideation (thinking about kiling yourself)
- Tremors
- Trouble sleeping
- Vomiting
They may last for a couple of weeks, or they may last for months. They might be mild and just kind of wear you down, or they could be very severe.
And let’s not forget the connection to violence – almost every school shooter has either been on antidepressants or was going through withdrawal from them.
So, addictive or not, it’s obvious that you can’t just stop taking them and expect everything to be fine.
What are your options? Your best option is prescription drug rehab. A good drug rehab facility that is experienced with prescription drugs will get you through withdrawal as safely and as quickly as possible.
What Do You Do About Depression If You Don’t Want to Take Drugs?
Drugs don’t do anything for your depression other than suppress the symptoms. And sometimes the don’t even manage to do that. Studies have found several things to be as effective as antidepressants, and some things work even better. Like talking to a friend or your doctor. Or taking St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort in the primary medication given for depression in Germany and is widely used throughout Europe.
And then there’s just sitting down and talking to someone who can help you work out whatever is troubling you in your life so you feel better.
In the meantime, if you need help getting off them, give us a call at 877-554-7308.
