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To offer the converse, I had a very traumatic event in my life and was put on an SSRI, which helped me function. After almost 2 years of taking it, I didn't thi

To offer the converse, I had a very traumatic event in my life and was put on an SSRI, which helped me function. After almost 2 years of taking it, I didn't think I needed it anymore and I tapered myself off very slowly but regularly, keeping logs and setting alarms. While in the beginning I felt some vertigo and other symptoms, I tapered very gradually, and was completely free at the end of my taper. My symptoms never come back and the SSRI helped me make very real progress on my issues. I'm eternally glad for my SSRI use and a medical system that knows when to prescribe it, as I would have probably not been able to hold down a (at the time, very stressful) job during the initial phases after the event without the help of the SSRI, and it probably would have taken me many years to recover. For those that SSRIs work on, it really works.

phkahler 9y ago
>> I'm eternally glad for my SSRI use and a medical system that knows when to prescribe it... Your story of recovery is a good one (and not the only good one). The problem is that a number of people in that same system don't see any need to get people off these medications. IMHO they are best used short term (whatever that means) while you work through your issues - like you did. For those reading, there is no "correct" timeline for working through your issues. Everyone goes at their own pace. I would just encourage you to try, and not assume a lifetime of medication is a good solution.
- indecisive_user 9y ago
  >The problem is that a number of people in that same system don't see any need to get people off these medications Why is this a problem? If long term studies prove detrimental effects then sure, it's a problem. But taking a pill every day isn't inherently bad for you. If you live in a northern climate you would probably benefit from taking Vitamin D every day your entire life, so what's the fundamental difference of an SSRI?
  - meowface 9y ago
    The issue isn't taking medication daily; it's taking psychotropic, brain- and personality-altering medication for years, especially when it comes with potential for bad side effects which may last after cessation (such as with SSRIs). I take vitamin D daily and I really don't think you can equate it to SSRIs whatsoever. Clearly SSRIs help many people in a significant way, but their mechanism of action is still poorly understood and their effects are powerful enough that they should be prescribed and taken long-term only with careful advising and caution. For some people, maybe taking them until the day they die is the best option, but it probably is also harmful for some people to take them for several years.
azernik 9y ago
Psychiatric meds in general, and SSRIs in particular, are super idiosyncratic.
- Hydraulix989 9y ago
  Successfully treating someone's depression isn't the idiosyncrasy; the side effects are.
  - azernik 9y ago
    Efficacy (of any specific drug) also varies from person to person.

phkahler 9y ago

>> I'm eternally glad for my SSRI use and a medical system that knows when to prescribe it... Your story of recovery is a good one (and not the only good one). The problem is that a number of people in that same system don't see any need to get people off these medications. IMHO they are best used short term (whatever that means) while you work through your issues - like you did. For those reading, there is no "correct" timeline for working through your issues. Everyone goes at their own pace. I would just encourage you to try, and not assume a lifetime of medication is a good solution.

indecisive_user 9y ago
>The problem is that a number of people in that same system don't see any need to get people off these medications Why is this a problem? If long term studies prove detrimental effects then sure, it's a problem. But taking a pill every day isn't inherently bad for you. If you live in a northern climate you would probably benefit from taking Vitamin D every day your entire life, so what's the fundamental difference of an SSRI?
- meowface 9y ago
  The issue isn't taking medication daily; it's taking psychotropic, brain- and personality-altering medication for years, especially when it comes with potential for bad side effects which may last after cessation (such as with SSRIs). I take vitamin D daily and I really don't think you can equate it to SSRIs whatsoever. Clearly SSRIs help many people in a significant way, but their mechanism of action is still poorly understood and their effects are powerful enough that they should be prescribed and taken long-term only with careful advising and caution. For some people, maybe taking them until the day they die is the best option, but it probably is also harmful for some people to take them for several years.

azernik 9y ago

Psychiatric meds in general, and SSRIs in particular, are super idiosyncratic.

Hydraulix989 9y ago
Successfully treating someone's depression isn't the idiosyncrasy; the side effects are.
- azernik 9y ago
  Efficacy (of any specific drug) also varies from person to person.