Explains issues faced when coming off medication, how to approach it, techniques for gradual reduction, possible withdrawal symptoms and how to tell the difference between withdrawal and relapse.
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You may take psychiatric drugs for a variety of conditions. You may only need them for relatively short periods, but your diagnosis and symptoms may mean that you are expected to take them for a long time – perhaps indefinitely.
Many people who have come off their medication, even after taking it for a long time, find that in fact they can manage well and often feel better without it.
If you are taking psychiatric drugs and feel that you no longer need them (or do not wish to take them for a long time) you may want to see if you can manage just as well, or get on better, without them.
"I have chosen to come off medication several times and been forced to come off it many times as well."
These are some reasons you may feel like you want to stop taking your medication:
Alternatively, you may think that the advantages of taking your medication outweigh the disadvantages. This might be for any of the following reasons:
Advantages can include:
Disadvantages can include:
Advantages can include:
Disadvantages can include:
If you decide to try coming off your medication, it's very important to:
If you have been told that you must not stop your medication, even though you would like to try, see Your right to refuse medication. You can also ask for a second opinion, if you feel that would be helpful – you may need to talk to your GP about this.
"My current doctor is great, and has always said that it is up to me if I take the medication or not, which makes me feel a lot better about it as I feel more in control."
This information was published in July 2016.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
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