Will we be on medication forever?

[SmilingHelps]

I have anxiety. I have always been a perfectionist and high strung, but within the last year, it developed into full blown anxiety. I was on Zoloft and Clonozapam, and those meds relieved the anxiety almost completely... About a month ago, my doctor told me that I really didn't need the Zoloft, and that we could begin tapering off. The zoloft was presribed after the birth of my daughter because I ended up with post partum depression in the form of anxiety and not actual depression..
Once I tapered off, I realized that I was really happier with the zoloft then I was without. I am going through a messy divorce right now, and I realized that I handle the stresses that come with the divorce much easier while taking an anti-depressent. I am now back on zoloft, but a very minimal dosage...

it makes me wonder-
will those of us who take anti-depressents be on them for our entire lives?

[dmbucky7]

For me, I definately think I will. I've tried to stop taking them off and on through out the last 5+ years but really feel like I will need them FOREVER...and that's ok with me if it helps...
's to you!!

[SaraLee]

I do think I will be.

[JoaniK]

if i ever get health insurance...i'll be back on them again. i'm not handling life well w/out them.

sure hope it comes before the holidays

[BC-MAV]

I think most Drs. want you to take the meds at least 1 year after you have the symptoms of anxiety, depresssion, or whatever. They want you to be anxiety free, depression free, etc... for at least a year before tapering. Sometimes you need to go back on them. Sometimes you have periods of months or years where you don't need the med and can take an occasional anxiety med. If you need it you need it no matter how long.

[BC-Shelli]

I think so...if I could find one that would actually make me feel good, rather than just stable, I would gladly stay on it forever....

[Danasingle]

The last psychiatrist I saw said in my case, I need to be on them for life. He compared it to someone who has diabetes----they need insulin for life. It is just how some of our bodies are made.

I just wish there was not prejudice towards those of us who have to deal with this. I've had mean comments from Dr.'s and nurses too many times to mention. I guess because I look like I 'have it all together' and should just 'snap out of it' and function as though I did not have anxiety and depression. Who knows.

Dana