Posted by Jack Smith on June 12, 2003, at 20:52:23
In reply to after 9 yrs w/ meds, how can i tell if i can stop?, posted by waterfall on June 12, 2003, at 20:38:36
> I feel like I owe it to myself to see if I can manage without a lifetime of medication.
I think the first thing you need to do in making this very personal decision is ask yourself why you feel that the above is true?
I do not know whether you should go off or stay on meds but the above statement sets off some warning signs. Why do you "owe" this to yourself? To see if you can "do" it? Does Magic Johnson "owe" it to himself to see if he can still be healthy without meds, to see if he can "do" it?
Let me be blunt, you cannot "do" it. Mental illness is something very much beyond our control. If you go off meds, you may never ever have another depressive episode but it will not be because you are somehow stronger than you were nine years ago.
I do not know if you should get off your meds or not. Again, that is a very personal decision but before making that decision, I think you should ask yourself why you think you would benefit by going off.
Just my two cents,
JACK
poster:Jack Smith
thread:233550
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030609/msgs/233552.html