Sorry for the break, there. I took a writing hiatus, and then life got really busy. I am going to try getting at least one of these written a month, more if I have topics that come to mind.
Today I want to talk a little bit about choosing to go off of a med, or meds.
Recently, after two and a half years of looking, I've landed a job, a good job, one that really fits me and my skills well. For obvious reasons, this has helped my self-esteem, sense of self-worth, and general mood enormously.
For all of these reasons and more, after consideration, I chose to go off Abilify, which is the third drug in the cocktail I take.
The first point I want to make is that there are good reasons to try going off a med. A major change in circumstance, as outlined above, is one of them. Another is the inability to handle the side effects, or because it is causing other medical issues.
The main reason people seem to try going off their meds, though, is because they "feel better." This is not a good reason to go off a med. Chances are the reason you "feel better" is because the med is doing what it is supposed to be doing. If feeling better does not come as part of an outside change or a breakthrough in therapy and world-view, the last thing you want to do is to try going off a med.
Let's say, though, that you have a good reason for trying to go off. The first thing that needs to happen is a discussion with your prescribing doctor. None of these medications are ones you want to stop cold turkey. You need to create a plan for going off the medication, and your doctor needs to be a part of helping create that plan. Certain anti-depressants can cause issues as serious as brain damage if withdrawn from improperly.
Additionally, you need to give your doctor the chance to say whether s/he feels it's a good idea that you go off the med. You can agree to disagree, and insist, but you should at least hear your doctor out first, especially if s/he explains why s/he feels that way.
Finally, you need to monitor yourself very carefully when going off the med. The minute you start to notice signs of depression, you need to be talking to your doctor again. The solution might NOT be that you have to get back on the med, but then again, it might be. And you have to be willing to acknowledge that possibility.
Taking myself off the Abilify has gone very successfully, but a) I'm in a stressful, but good place in my life right now, b) I talked with my doctor about it, and c) I was on 5 milligrams of it, as opposed to the thirty of Lexapro I take and the two hundred of Welbutrin, both of which I have no illusions that I can wean myself off.
I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from getting of a med if it's possible for him or her, but I would urge everyone who's on them to be incredibly careful in making that decision.
