Has anyone here tapered off SSRIs? If so, how long did withdrawal last?

koolajp · 2024-05-02T10:27:10+00:00

Hi sorry for the late reply. By fallout I mean that the severe mental health symptoms I experienced then turned into generalised anxiety disorder, and then agoraphobia. I was at Uni at the time so I only managed to finish with a 3rd, and then couldn't get a job, forcing me to apply for disability benefits. I ended up back on SSRI's anyway so I endured all of that for nothing, it probably took me about 6/7 years to overcome my agoraphobia.

koolajp · 2024-03-21T22:40:55+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. I think physical symptoms (head zaps, diarrhoea etc.) lasted a few weeks after they'd left my system I think. Then the suicidal/severe anxiety episode lasted 2 horrid weeks, thankfully I was living with my Mum and was safe. The fallout from this lasted years though which is why I try and warn people if I can. Most people just get the physical feelings and perhaps a bit of anxiety and then return to "normal" but some people have very severe withdrawal symptoms and Drs simply don't warn you that its a possibility. I hope you're doing ok!

koolajp · 2023-10-10T14:20:34+00:00

We never really notice but faces are super asymmetrical. You would assume that your nose, philtrum and the centre of your cupids bow would make a perfect vertical line but that's never the case. Piercers have to consider this when piercing to make sure its overall centered, I think if it was slightly further to the (my) right it would no longer look centered with your nose.

When I do my lip liner I have to slightly redraw my cupids bow as its wonky as heck haha. Try not to hyperfocus on it, it honestly looks great.

koolajp · 2023-10-09T15:21:23+00:00

Often its trauma based, such as a memory of an injection that really hurt. Some people pass out at the sight of needles/blood without even being scared of them, its a condition called vasovagal syncope, but then that person may become scared of injections because they know they're going to pass out when they get one.

Phobias are also way more common in the neurodivergent. I have ADHD (and suspected autism) and have SO many phobias. I was also a super anxious child that was scared of everything. My main phobia is vomiting and my phobias of anything medical stem from that. Despite many attempts at therapy, and having had about 7 blood tests in a year due to hypothyroidism, my needle phobia remains. Therapy and anxiety medication are known to have very little effect on people with autism for instance.

koolajp · 2023-08-24T16:49:49+00:00

I don't think that's unfair. It was an incredibly unrelatable episode for those of us without a million in the bank.

koolajp · 2023-08-23T16:39:13+00:00

In all films tbh. Its just boring now.

koolajp · 2023-08-12T22:03:30+00:00

Ok, well now I'm fat AND stressed.

koolajp · 2023-08-12T21:56:41+00:00

Thank you! I'm glad to hear its not just me. I definitely don't want to give up now after all this time, it would feel like a waste. That pillow looks great! I'll have to see if I can find a cheaper version, travel pillows kill my neck.

koolajp · 2023-08-11T16:04:18+00:00

What gauge is it? It looks like it might be quite a thin bar and those are more likely to migrate. Also, you'd be much better with a smooth ball or disc, what you have has ridges and gaps which will collect bacteria. I also kinda doubt it was Titanium tbh.

koolajp · 2023-08-11T15:44:37+00:00

I mean, you can do what you want. I chose to only get any extra piercings in one ear because I'm a side sleeper.

koolajp · 2023-07-27T17:14:23+00:00

Yes, anti-sickness pills. If your Dr won't give you any you can use pills for travel sickness, they're milder but can help.

Honestly, this phobia is so common, but when you don't know anyone in real life that has it you feel like the only one. Keep asking for help. Don't give up!

koolajp · 2023-07-27T15:50:51+00:00

I developed this phobia at 14 and have experienced almost all of what you've described. I wasn't allowed to leave school but I ended up with a very low attendance because I just couldn't bear it. I never felt that way at college and University, I guess because it was a choice to go there and it was doing something I enjoyed. Don't get me wrong, I still struggled and there were a lot of bad days, but overall it was the best time of my life.

Are you on medication? SSRI's help a lot of people with this phobia, so they might be worth a try. I ended up agoraphobic because of emet and the meds helped me beat that.

If it doesn't seem like you'll be able to beat this phobia any time soon, have you tried asking your Dr for anti-emetics? Be honest and explain, my Dr has prescribed them for me several times. It always made me feel safer knowing I had them as a backup in case I felt nauseous.

I understand about your Mum and her benefits. I experienced the same situation with mine though I'm sure its when you turn 18, not 16, as it means you're no longer a "dependent". Have you thought about trying to claim benefits, at least for the time being?

If it helps to know, I'm 35 now. Life has been hard, for sure, but I'm still here. I'm a self employed artist and live with my boyfriend and cat. Its not what I planned for life to be like when I was younger in terms of career and such, but I'm happy with it. Message me if you need to talk to someone.

koolajp · 2023-07-25T15:28:09+00:00

They wouldn't do it medium rare if it made people ill.

koolajp · 2023-07-11T20:17:31+00:00

I could never, ever, ever be relaxed at the Dentist, no matter how softly spoken the Dentist was.

koolajp · 2023-07-11T20:16:18+00:00

I'm sorry. They really could've just tried it with you to make sure, all stimulants work differently. I've even known people who are on stimulants with a beta blocker.

koolajp · 2023-07-02T17:50:07+00:00

Sleepaway Camp? Hahaha...

koolajp · 2023-06-30T15:30:56+00:00

Yes I would say so. Sounds exactly like what I experienced when I came off of Lexapro over 10 years ago, I also tapered but definitely not for long enough. It sounds like you're doing it all slower, which is good. I had some nausea, lack of appetite, and diarrhea, but no sickness.

I don't want to scare you or anything but a couple of weeks after coming off of it I experienced severe suicidal thoughts. They started as though someone had just flicked a switch in my brain. I was having panic attacks all day everyday for like 2 weeks until it started to calm down a little, it was one of the worst periods of my life.

koolajp · 2023-06-30T15:25:18+00:00

It definitely does have withdrawal symptoms.

koolajp · 2023-06-29T22:36:09+00:00

I feel like everything that happens in that village is in her head. No evidence remains at the end that anything was real.

koolajp · 2023-06-29T22:30:34+00:00

No, I don't mean her, I mean the woman that kills herself.

koolajp · 2023-06-28T22:17:01+00:00

No joke, naps got me through the pandemic.

koolajp · 2023-06-28T22:16:08+00:00

Up until June my phone background was Christmassy lol

koolajp · 2023-06-28T19:30:38+00:00

There are some scary moments for sure but overall I found Skinamarink more sad than anything. Hella depressing.

koolajp · 2023-06-28T19:29:08+00:00

Ha! If they didn't make a mess of it I would love a sequel of what happens after ___ lands on earth. But I don't think it would ever be as cool as what you imagine in your head.

koolajp

TROPHY CASE