Zoloft: when is a good time to stop?

[lynnsee]

I have panic and mdd. I've been on 50mg of generic Zoloft for a little over a year now. I didn't wanna have to take this drug for the rest of my life but I know of course I might have to. its all trial and error from what I understand. but after a year of being on it with plenty of success, I was wondering when it would be a good time to start wheening off of it so that I can be completely off of it. any one successful without Zoloft after stopping? any suggestions.

[lynnsee]

I'm not in any rush to stop taking the med. I am after all, on a pretty low dose. I was just curious. I guess I wouldn't mind taking the med forever as long as I dont have to up my dose. but I do plan on going to therapy. I just haven't had time. thank for your advice. you're always such a big help c:

[nursegirl6572]

I couldn't agree with Paxiled more.  While it's super that the Zoloft has been helping you, it's paramount that you get into some therapy.  THAT is where the real progress occurs.  The ONLY way to effectively and consistently control anxiety is to CHANGE the way we think and react.  Medication helps to control the symptoms of anxiety, but without therapy, the thought processes remain the same.

Also, don't get caught up in that trap of feeling like you NEED to stop taking the Zoloft.  I don't have any problems whatsoever with people wanting to give it a go without the medication, but it should be for the right reasons, and only AFTER the "work" on the anxiety has been done, for a while.

More often than not, people come off the medications, and eventually experience a resurgence of anxiety, sometimes worse than what they started with, and the other problem is, it's commonly tough to get back ON medications after you've stopped.  This is why it's important not to make the decision to discontinue the Zoloft impulsively.

I'll tell you that I DEEPLY regret EVER having stopped taking an antidepressant.  I went through SO many ups and downs after that, when ON the medication, and after a lot of therapy, I was almost COMPLETELY anxiety free.  Then, when I tried to resume a medication, I had all kinds of trouble tolerating it.  A medication that once helped me (Lexapro), and that I once tolerated very well became impossible, which was so disappointing.  

I've finally gotten back on Zoloft, but I feel I wasted YEARS struggling with some debilitating anxiety that I can't help to think I wouldn't have dealt with had I not got the bug up my hind end to stop taking a medication.  I told myself, "I don't NEED it anymore, I'm doing great"...well, I now believe I was doing so well largely BECAUSE of the medication.  I stuck with therapy after that, but without the symptom control I once had, it was a huge struggle to even MAKE it to therapy, let alone concentrate and focus on it.  That's just my experience of course, but I think it's a pretty common one.

Get yourself in therapy, and give yourself some time to see what kind of progress you make with both the Zoloft AND the therapy.  Then you can revisit the idea again down the line.  IMO anyway.

Keep us posted!

[Paxiled]

Then it's not time to stop.  You haven't worked on your problem so it's probably still there.

[lynnsee]

I haven't gone to therapy at all.

[Paxiled]

Have you solved your original problem in therapy?  Have you done CBT?  If you still have the problem, it's not time to stop.  If you feel the problem has resolved, it's time to stop the med and see.