Posted by Simcha on August 5, 2003, at 5:01:31
In reply to No More Pills!!!, posted by Cecelia D. on August 3, 2003, at 16:37:18
Cecelia,
I wish you success in your endeavor to stop taking medicine. I just want to share some of my experience with friends who independently decided that they don't need medicine anymore. Those stories have kept me on my medication. Those stories might re-enforce your decision to stay off medicine.
My Uncle, once stabilized on medicine, would independently decide that he was fine and did not need medication. Well, after independently stopping the medication on his own he started sacrificing cats in his back yard and he would disappear for long periods of time without being able to account for where he'd been. (My Uncle was Bipolar with Psychosis.)
A friend of mine at University would get stabilized on medicine and she would decide on her own that she was fine and did not need the medicine. After independently coming off of the medicine she would have wild mood swings. She lived on my floor at a dormitory. She would really disrupt life on our floor while her condition went unmedicated because she thought that she did not need medication.
These are just two of the many stories of people who I know who independently decide to quit medicine once treatment becomes stable. They reason that they feel fine and they don't need meds. Well, they do feel fine on the meds. There seems to be some disconnect in regards to taking meds and feeling better for these people.
I've had two independent psychiatrists really educate me on this. They have explained to me over and over again that my medicine does not cure my illness, it alleviates the symptoms so I can function. They explain that the medicine is not a cure with a real conviction that helps me to remain on my medications.
Oh, I question when and if I should get off of the meds. I also know the stories I have experienced of people somewhat like me who have decided without medical help to discontinue treatment. These stories tell me that I need to rely on good medical judgment in these things in order to be clear on how to have the best mental health I can.
I wish you blessings on your journey no matter what you do with it. For me, my journey has taught me some powerful lessons. I hope you learn what you need to learn about yourself to get better.
Blessings,
Simcha
> Hello everyone! I wasn't sure if this post showed up so i'm putting it out here again. I am weaning myself off of everything! Celexa ruined my life for two years. Side effects: vivid nightmares, feeling of living in a vacuum, not in the present moment, loss of emotions and interest in anything, couldn't laugh or cry, living in a total, apathetic, zombie-like state.
> Something happened to me that when I woke up, I knew i didn't need these pills to manage my life. Once you realize that, and feel you have the strength to do it on your own, it's a wonderful feeling!!
> If I can do it, anyone can!
> Just a little positivity for everyone who's sick of SSRI's.
> Good Luck All!!
>
poster:Simcha
thread:247809
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030802/msgs/248204.html