Posted by SLS on March 29, 2009, at 10:51:47
In reply to Re: Discontinuing antidepressants after remission, posted by bleauberry on March 29, 2009, at 8:58:06
> > Does anyone have suggestions as to how long to remain on an antidepressant?
> While all the textbooks and general MDs suggest weaning off after remission, you and I both have seen more times than we can count how badly people deteriorated over the next months, and how when they return to meds it is often a different game than the first time.I agree.
But when it comes to treating a first episode of depression, there is a significant possibility that one can remain well after the discontinuation of treatment, as long as the criteria for treatment includes continuing 9 months beyond the achievement of remission. It is a gamble at this point in that everyone who has had a second episode originally had a first. For first time episodes of an affective illness when working with bipolar disorder or depression with a strong family history of illness, I would think about treatment for a longer term. The term of treatment is determined by the details of the case, not just a formulaic expression in a book.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:887422
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090322/msgs/887580.html