Saturday, January 28, 2012
Perhaps you have read Robert Whitaker’s 2010 “Anatomy of an Epidemic.” I have given considerable attention to the book on my personal blog, “Knowledge is Necessity,” but I have only made passing reference to it here, which I will explain later. Let’s begin ...
&nbs...
When I was prescribed my first anti-depressant, it included a major tranquilizer. It kept me from getting too zippy. I've gone on to other antidepressants, as the situation changed over the years.
I'd be terrified to stop taking Paxil - the one I've been taking for some years - because of the fear of dropping into the bottom of the pit again....
Also, since he wrote his book some years ago, what do the reasearchers, writers say now - 2012
Hugs, M
Hey, Margaret. The overwhelming psychiatric consensus is that an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer carries a strong risk of triggering mania and speeding up cycling. There is a growing body of opinion that long-term antidepressant use may worsen the course of both depression and bipolar disorder. The evidence is fairly strong that antidepressants have little if any beneficial effect on those of us with bipolar.
Thus, as a general rule, antidepressants fail the benefits vs risk test.
Now forget everything I just said. In the real world we are all different. So even if we have a large group of people who don't do well on antidepressants, your experience and that of others tells us there is a certain class of people who do well. The problem is we have no way of knowing in advance which individual will benefit.
So, if you are on an antidepressant now and have been for some time and are doing well on it by all means stay on it. Going off a med involves a lot of risk. There may be a time when you might want to consider weaning off, but from what you are saying, now is not the time.