12 years ago I came off an SSRI medication after being on it for 14 years

12 years ago I came off an SSRI medication after being on it for 14 years - and it was one of the most physically and emotionally challenging things I've ever done.

This is what they don't tell you when you go to the Drs office with anxiety, depression, PMDD, or other mood disorders.

You are given a pill that makes you feel better - and it works! You do feel better, especially at first...

When I found out I was pregnant with my son 12 years ago, I knew I did not want him to be born addicted to my SSRI medication. I had been taking the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Aropax for the past 14 years - and I had tried 7 times unsuccessfully to come off the meds by this point.

Each time suffering from massive panic attacks and episodes of psychosis, which left me addicted to these pills, and feeling unable to live without them.

I was 29 years old, and had been 'numb' for the past 14 years. Anyone who has taken these meds long term understands what I mean by that. How they numb you, and how you feel when you go even 1 day without them (dizzy, spacy, hot sweats, while dealing with absolutely horrific thoughts)

I didn't even know who I was without them at this point!

But this time I just knew I had to get through the weaning-off period for my son. My love for my unborn son was what got me through the dark times while detoxing from the SSRI. I started by cutting all of the pills into 3rds, and I would go 10 days while having 2/3rds of a pill.

Even this was enough to send me into a tailspin, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was the detox from the meds. Of course, I was also pregnant and my body was going through large hormonal changes. I do think my raising Progesterone during this time helped with my detox.

Every now and then I could not cope, and would take a full pill. It took around 8 weeks of VERY slowly titrating down, and then I eventually realised that I could live without them.

While coming off them, I supported my body with daily walks, Yoga, Pilates, I only ate real foods, I had enough seasalt, magnesium. I used Rescue Remedy to help me through my panic attacks. If I was doing it today - I would also use Full Spectrum Oil, and Bioidentical Progesterone to help me through this time.

I just wish I knew before starting these meds how horrible the process would be to come off them. Looking back, I only had very mild anxiety compared to what I had coming off, and also the after-effects. You can suffer from anxiety/panic issues for a long time after coming off these meds because of the changes they make to your hormones, and to your gut.

This is not medical advice. This is simply my story, and I would recommend anyone who wants to come off, do so with the help and support of your doctor.

These medications can save lives - but I know that they are over medicated, and that people are left on them for way too long, with very little support to come off them.

Most people need dramatic lifestyle changes instead of meds. More sun, more sleep, more real food, more exercise, more rest, less stress, less screens and less work.