Take it slow and steady when weaning yourself off an antidepressant, from Harvard Women’s Health Watch

Taking an antidepressant can be a godsend when depression robs you of joy. But once you are feeling better, you may start thinking about going off the drug. First, talk to your physician or therapist to make sure you aren't at risk of falling back into depression. Then slowly lower the dose, reports the November 2010 issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

Suddenly stopping an antidepressant can cause a number of physical and emotional problems that include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating or flushing, sleep disturbances, tremors, irritability, or strange sensations. The best way to minimize or prevent these problems is by gradually lowering the dose (tapering off) over weeks to months. Sometimes this process involves substituting other medications for the one you are quitting.

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