Q. After taking various antidepressants for many years, I tried to stop. The first time I decreased the levels of medication over five weeks. I experienced many incapacitating withdrawal symptoms and went back on the drug.
The second time, I decreased the dose over five months and recently stopped taking it completely. It was very difficult, as I experienced crying jags and unwarranted fits of anger along with dizziness, insomnia and electrical sensations in my extremities. At last, however, I have been off the drug entirely for three weeks and the withdrawal effects have finally stopped.
If I need help with depression in the future, I’d prefer a more natural approach. Do you have any suggestions?
A. Nondrug treatments can be effective for mild to moderate depression. Talk therapy, a structured exercise program and light therapy all have scientific support.
Dietary supplements may also be worth a try. We heard from another reader:
“My partner quit antidepressants because of negative side effects. We heard of SAM-e during a holistic health course two years ago and he has kept his depression under control on 800 mg per day ever since. It is just as effective as the prescription he was taking.”
You can learn about the pros and cons of antidepressants, tips on weathering withdrawal and information on non drug approaches for easing depression in our Guide to Dealing with Depression. Although antidepressants can be helpful in cases of severe depression, they have enough troubling side effects to make one think twice about taking such drugs for less serious situations.
