Can someone stay off antidepressants long term?

[kwhite46]

Overall, what is your guess, as to if someone has been on antidepressants for about 15 years, is the likelyhood of being able to stay off for long periods of time?
And when --after stopping-- do most people know either this is going to work, or it is not going to work. Let me test this before writing more.

[29sillygirl]

I did.  Have depressed days, but can overcome now without ad.

Everyone and every situation is different.  No advice.  I'm not a doctor.

[therese83]

My friend is off, she went to therapist and expressed her emotions, Art Therapy,she went from being heavily sedated in a psyc ward to now living a full happy life.  She recovered.

Also you can cut down, i am trying everything and i have cut down to a very low dose, I am making positive change in my life.  I dont miss the higher dose now, i will stay like this for six moths, then see if i can give up

My sister had bad bad depression at age 19 , she recovered she is 44 now !

[kay2486]

people have to be weaned off these as the person can react if stopped taking suddenly

[drblue]

you can get off and stay off.  the outcome is dependent on genetic factors (ie if you were sensitive to side effects you will be sisnitive to the withdrawal), lrngth of time on, and total dose (ie high or low), plus personality factors; to name the major ones.  
discuss with your doctor.  use a dose titration option (inc possible change to prozac). have clear goals (ie "i will wait at least 1 month").

this will all help, but ultimately it is down to a combination of your will, and whether or not your body/mind needs the drug long term (ie, if they will let you!).

[Jade59]

I was on AD's for 24yrs.  Stopped c/t in 04 and wouldn't go back.  Did not go through any w/d.  Feel like God had his hand on me...felt like I was granted a miracle.  Since I had been on them since age 20, I had no idea who I was.  Emotions were numb.  Feels like a bit of a rollercoaster not taking them - many days up - a few days down - suicidal often, but at my age, know it will pass and it always does - never on an even keel, but at least I can *feel* - feel empathy, sadness, happiness...on AD's, I felt nothing.  For 44yrs had no idea what *happiness* felt like so for me, it's worth not taking AD's for a few happy days.  Just my experience...