Stress Center Peer Support

I am on session 2 of the program, and not sure how the program works if your are already on antidepressants. I have been taking Lexapro for 8 years now. Should consider weaning off while I am going through the program or should I go through the program first and then talk to my pyschiatrist about weaning off ? Could someone please help me with this question ?

I don't think you should change anything unless you Dr. okays it or you are making progress. I don't believe in meds myself but I know the program neither encourages or discourages it, you need to do what you and your doctor feels is right.

Kind of scared to talk to my psychiatrist about this program because I don't think she believes in this type of alternative. I have been with her for most of the 8 years I have been on an antidepressant. My Husband bought the program for me and suggest that I complete the program first and than together we would discuss going off the antidepressant.

I agree with your husband. Do it once, talk to the doctor and get off it if you choose and then do the program again, because your mind will try to tell you that you are better BUT... so I would bet that a reinforcement time thru would help.

megirl it sounds like maybe you might want to look into a doctor who is more interested in getting you off meds with alternative therapies. I would definitely look into that, remember she's working for you, not you for her.

Yes I have thought about another doctor that would being willing to help me get off meds. I guess I will go complete the program first than discuss with her and if she does not agree to help me get off meds than I will have no choice because the side effects of this antidepressant is just terrible. I know that my family has been at ease since the antidepressant does relieve my depression but they don't have to deal with the awful side effects. I am praying that this program works !

I hope you do find a doctor, I wish StressCenter had a list of doctors who agree with using the program and would be open to no meds.

I think with most doctors they are just so pro meds, I can't even find a regular doctor who would be open to me being off meds because my cholesterol's so high, I have to find an alternative doctor!

I know the program is going to help you immensely, you do have to work it though - just follow along and do the best you can with it, the more you get into the program and do all the elements the better the outcome.

Megirl, I think they recommend not to make any drastic changes until you have learned the skills in the program. I'm sorry you're having such bad side effects of the medications! Can your psychiatrist work with you on the dosage (can make a huge difference when it comes to side effects, and they tend to max out the dosage, it seems) or try another medication?

Yes we have changed my dosage a few times and the side effects are the same. It took a while to find the right antidepressant so i am afraid to change meds and travel the road again. Some of those meds made me feel like i was going crazy and others just made me so numb felt like a zombie!

Some medications just don't agree with certain people. I say, if the symptoms you are having are worse than the depression or making it hard for you to function properly, you could choose to get off of them or even find another.

But if they're bearable enough and they help your depression, maybe start the program and see how if feels before you change anything, and then after you get some tools under your belt, you could start to ween off of them. If you find that medication helped more, then you can always try it again.

But you should do whatever feels right to you, not anyone else. Its how you feel physically and mentally and no one else can determine that but you. Also, keep in mind if you go off your meds that they may play tricks on you if you have started mentally relying on them. Remember to tell yourself that you can feel good without the pills, because you don't wanna let your mind think that that's the only reason why your depression has gotten better.

I wish you the best of luck.