Side note about SSRIs. At the very lowest level, all SSRIs perform the same function. What varies is your personal body/brain chemistry. If someone says that a particular SSRI worked well for them, do not bet the farm that it will work well for you. It may - or it may not. This is why there are a variety of SSRIs on the market. Each formulation is a little different from another. If you find one that works well with your body/brain chemistry and gives you benefit, stick with it as long as you can.
Also, I've read other's posts where they've experienced very nasty withdrawl effects from SSRIs. SSRIs have both a "ramp up" and "ramp down" period. If your target dosage is 200mg, your doctor might start you at 50mg for 10 days to 2 weeks, then move you up 50mg at a time at 2 week intervals. Coming off an SSRI is the same thing, just in reverse. [i]Never[/i] abrubtly stop taking a medication, even if you desperately want off of it. Follow your doctor's advice. Educate yourself on the medication (available on the paperwork your pharmacy can provide you for the medication, on the manufacturer's website, and on multiple other websites out there). An example: Xanax (which is not an SSRI), when taken in doses near or above 4mg, [i]must[/i] be tapered off. Suddenly discontinuing the medication from that level can result in seizures.
Educating yourself about the medication you're on, or your doctor has recommended - preferably prior to actually starting the medication - is something you have 100% control over. If you don't understand something in the literature, ask your doctor [i]and[/i] pharmacist. With this knowledge comes power. Power to keep yourself healthy. Power to understand what the medication is doing, how it does it, and what the possible side effects are. Being an active participant in your healthcare isn't what we're traditionally taught, but cannot be understated. Don't worry that you're not a chemist or a pharmacist. Ask those who [i]do[/i] know so you can better help yourself.
Be Well~
