Being taken off of meds. Advice?

( I can’t tell if this is triggering or not so just in case I will be mentioning antidepressants) Recently Camhs have decided it was best for me to go off of sertraline and I was on maximum dose to switch to a different medication as sertraline was not helping. I recently however decided that I didn’t really want to live on medication for the rest of my life and didn’t want to have to deal w all the side effects again. Now I’m medication free (well I will 100% be in a few days I’m on my last dose before being completely taken off) but my anxiety is through the roof, my ocd has taken an awful turn, and my brain is so immensely foggy not to mention I’ve been suffering from derealisation. Has anyone been taken off of sertraline before? I really just wanna know how long will these symptoms last because it’s really very tiring I’ve been on sertraline for two years so it was expected but damn this is quite scary!!

Username: JenniesOCDBrainJenniesOCDBrain

Date posted: 1y ago

hey, i hear you on how rough the transition off sertraline has been, especially after two years. it sounds super exhausting to deal with all that anxiety, ocd flare-ups, and the brain fog on top of derealisation. hang in there, okay? 🌟 i've been in a similar spot before, and what really helped me was this free AI OCD therapy tool called "unstuck" (unstuckmyocd.com/try) that my OCD therapist recommended. it'll be especially helpful for you because it offers personalized step-by-step support, just like an OCD therapist would, to guide you through those tough moments when your OCD gets overwhelming. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have Qs or just want to talk more! <3

Username: anthony67anthony67

Date posted: 1y ago

I feel the way ur feeling rn but I’m about to go on medication what are the side affects to medication and what are the pros and cons

Username: am123456am123456

Date posted: 1y ago

@anthony67 Depends on what it’s for. I will say for me it got worse before it gets better, so do be prepared for that (it might not happen as everyone is different, so just be really honest with ur gp/therapist/whoever is prescribing the meds about any side affects) But it was 100% the right call for my mood, I was quite depressed and sertraline really helped with that. Everyone has different side effects so I can’t promise what u may or may not experience, but what’s vital is that u are 100% open and honest with whoever is prescribing you the medication about how to ur feeling on it or any little side effect you may have, this will help you get the best results you can out of it!

Username: anthony67anthony67

Date posted: 1y ago

@am123456 The symptoms your explaining is what I exactly feel like, depersonilation and foggy head due to rocd, I’ve been going through private therapy for ages cahms wasn’t so great for me, may have been due to covid

Username: am123456am123456

Date posted: 1y ago

@anthony67 Yeah it’s really scary and I’m really quite worried about it to be honest. It’s like I’m scared I’m somehow gonna start acting weird around all my friends and my boyfriend and all and then they’ll all leave me yk. I know that’s totally irrational but it’s just a really scary thought. So j know ur not alone rn!

Username: anthony67anthony67

Date posted: 1y ago

@am123456 What type of ocd do u suffer from

Username: am123456am123456

Date posted: 1y ago

@anthony67 It’s kinda all over. Mainly intrusive thoughts but those intrusive thoughts can be about anything. It’s kinda mainly POCD and ROCD though and magical thinking and false memories are very common w my OCD

Username: anthony67anthony67

Date posted: 1y ago

@am123456 Have u ever spoke to ur bf about ur rocd

Username: am123456am123456

Date posted: 1y ago

I forgot to mention, I’m not completely against meds. I was originally put on them for mood and that has been better for at least a year now so I never got to just try cbt without meds for my ocd. That is why Camhs were very open to this idea! But I’m scared maybe I should go on Fluoxetine ?? As that was the new antidepressant they were going to prescribe me. I’m scared though as I’ve read so many ppl have experienced emotional numbing from it and I don’t wanna risk that Yk!

Username: jack27jack27

Date posted: 1y ago

@am123456 i’m also coming off of sertraline right now! i’ve been on it for 12 years and have come off of it twice to try other medications. i’ve noticed that i don’t really have severe side effects because i’m tapering off really slowly. i was at 150 mg daily but once a week i lower it by 15 or 25 mg which is pretty minimal. i’m going to be starting fluoxetine and i’m also worried about the side effects :/ i know that medication works differently for everybody but still

Username: Derrick D.

Date posted: 25w ago

First Post

Hey Everyone, I have been recently diagnosed with OCD within the past year. Finding this information out gave me an answer to so many years of struggle and feeling alone. I have had ups and downs and have been successful for a long time along this path of my own. Unfortunately, I experienced a massive panic attack 3 years ago that hospitalized me and has left me feeling at the 'start' again, but this time it feels worse than it ever has before. Anything that puts me potentially by myself or having to do anything by myself I cannot fathom, I can barely make it to the gas station at the corner of my house alone. I have been in therapy, went through EMDR/ACT and CBT. I was doing great for a little bit and even made one appointment about 10 minutes away from my home all alone by myself (also note I am in a new area completely that I just moved too). I was on medication at this time *lexapro 20MG*, I am no longer on it due to my bloodwork being extremely abnormal for my age. Now that I am no longer on it - I have fear creeping in that the lexapro kept me sane and that I cannot cope without it. I understand this is not the case entirely but there is something in me that believes that to be true. Long story short, I am looking for individuals who have had the same experience as me and could give me some hope into getting back to my normal routine (even knowing I have OCD now). I just want to be independent again and not burden my loved ones and learn to be okay with myself. Thanks in advance!

Username: Gina M

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 21w ago

Relapse

Hi all, I’ve never posted on here before. I got diagnosed with OCD about a year ago. My therapist is incredible and I did start taking some SRI’s which also made my symptoms really go down. However the last week it’s like I’m back to my old symptoms of insane anxiety and not being able to sleep. I want to see if anyone has also experienced this and basically want to know if it gets better again. I’m terrified of having to change my dose for my SRI’s it doesn’t sit right with me. Thanks ❣️

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 17w ago

Really scared and tired (please read)

So for the past month I have been dealing with the theme of going into a psychosis/or becoming schizophrenic. Having thoughts like is this really my reality? I am really here? I’m I just hallucinating what I want to see and did something horrible? Very scary thoughts. I’ve also been dealing with harm intrusive towards myself and towards my family. Recently this week I’ve developed a new theme of fearing not being able to sleep and going crazy from not being able to sleep. I lay there at night waiting to fall asleep and no matter how tired I was all day sleep doesn’t come. And then when I actually get some hours of sleep I question if I really slept and didn’t just hallucinate sleep. Which is very ridiculous I know. I’m just really scared and feel so helpless right now. I haven’t been diagnosed for OCD but I’m positive it’s what I have. I’m just so tired and feel like crying all the time. Sleep was the one thing I had to escape from all this crap and now that has gotten taken away from me as well. I just want my life back. Yesterday my family came over and for once I was able to forget about the thoughts for the time they were here and it felt so nice. I’m trying so hard to be okay for my family but I’m not. Im drowning on the inside and I just want to breathe. I can’t afford therapy right now and I have been prescribed sertraline 25mg for my anxiety but I’m to scared to take it. If anyone can relate or give me advice it would be greatly appreciated. I know reassurance is not what I should be getting but I’m just so scared.

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