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Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression
Question: I've been on depression medicine (Cymbalta) since I was 20. Got on it after my mother passed away. I would love to get off of it and have tried several times with 3 different doctors but, once we finish the last dose within a few days I want to punch a hole in the wall or cry my eyes out. Is there anything else out there that can help me get off this type of medicine for good? Maybe something natural, supplement or food source?
Brief Answer:
5-Hydroxytryptophan (3-htp) may help but better to continue medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Depression since 15 years is very long duration. As a psychiatrist frankly speaking there is no need to stop the drug. According to most of the guidelines of the treatment for depression in such cases effective minimum dose should be continued for lifelong.
However I also would like to mention approach to stop the drug.
Actually you face drug discontinuation symptoms when you stop the drug. So one option is stop drug very slowly. For example reduce 20% dose every 4-5 weeks.
You can take supplement like 5-Hydroxytryptophan which may help to prevent drug discontinuation symptoms.
As well as psychotherapy (like cognitive behavior therapy) may help.
Regular sleep, timely meals, daily exercises and supplements in form of multivitamin are also essential steps in stopping antidepressant medicines.
You can discuss above aspects with your current treating doctor and may try successfully to stop medicines.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (3-htp) may help but better to continue medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Depression since 15 years is very long duration. As a psychiatrist frankly speaking there is no need to stop the drug. According to most of the guidelines of the treatment for depression in such cases effective minimum dose should be continued for lifelong.
However I also would like to mention approach to stop the drug.
Actually you face drug discontinuation symptoms when you stop the drug. So one option is stop drug very slowly. For example reduce 20% dose every 4-5 weeks.
You can take supplement like 5-Hydroxytryptophan which may help to prevent drug discontinuation symptoms.
As well as psychotherapy (like cognitive behavior therapy) may help.
Regular sleep, timely meals, daily exercises and supplements in form of multivitamin are also essential steps in stopping antidepressant medicines.
You can discuss above aspects with your current treating doctor and may try successfully to stop medicines.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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