How long do we have to be on this stuff? I know the answer is different for everyone, but how did you know when to try to go off? This is my first bout with depression (I'm 34), and I have been feeling pretty good after being on Celexa for over 4 months. How long is the average stint on meds to cure the depression? I'm not sure when to try to go off them. My Dr. is an idiot and leaves everything up to me to decide.

Thanks in advance!!

This post has been edited by flowergal: Feb 28 2008, 09:59 PM

Be careful when stopping meds when you feel better. I did the same thing on another AD and ended up relapsing. I was feeling really good for a few months then stopped. Everyone is different though. But they do recommend around 6 months ++ after you feel better before weaning off.

It depends whether your depression is classed as occasional or chemical.....

You have highlghted the problem with anti-d's here. Once you start taking them when can you stop? Ever? Never? The fact is that once you take these meds and feel better, it is not advisable to stop them at all. If you want to try to stop you should be stable for at least 6 months then you should taper off in a controlled mannor with the help of your doctor.

If you have a chemical imbalance then the chances are that withdrawing the medication will lead to relapse, if you have occasional depression then you may be able to go some time without this medication, but need to restart them if you are becoming depressed again. The good thing is at least you know they work for you, and help.

Doctors can be pretty vague about how long you need to take meds for, that is because they don't really know, and do not want to say forever....It's the same with getting an accurate diagnosis, they don't like to be too quick to 'label' you as they may not be correct. Unfortunately mental health is not an exact science.

Take care,
Helly. XX

When I was diagnosed with severe depression, I was told that i should expect to be on the meds at least as long as I can remember back to when the first depressive episode started. So in my case i could positively trace it back to 2 years before I first sought help. So I expect that i will be on some type of med for at least 2 years. I'm sure the level of help you get through therapy and your willingness to change make a big difference in how long you will be medicated. it makes me sick to think that I could be on this stuff for the rest of my life if it turns out to be a serious enough chemical imbalance.