Why Didn’t I Have Stronger Withdrawal Symptoms from Meds?

Reader’s Question

I was on Effexor 37.5 mg for a year. I knew I didn’t need this medicine anymore and just stopped taking them. I did my research and knew of some of the side effects that can happen when someone stops taking an antidepressant like Effexor, so I monitored my behavior very closely. The only side effect was some dizziness. Please allow me to state that if I “started” to feel, act and/or behave strangely, I would have gone to a doctor ASAP! Understanding the source of my depression and learning to manage it help me greatly, and I felt that this antidepressant wasn’t doing any good for me. In fact I felt that Effexor was only interfering with my healing (emotional/mental) progress. I guess my question is why did I have few or no withdrawal symptoms from this drug (having heard so many “horror stories” about some people who stop taking antidepressants). I also want to state that this was my decision and would never advise anyone to do this. Also, I have heard about people getting “hooked” on antidepressants. Is this really possible?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Side effects, withdrawal syndromes (what happens when you stop the medication), and issues related to dependency upon the medication, are all typically dose-related. The higher the dose, the more likely you will experience side effects and withdrawal symptoms. In my experience, people don’t become “hooked” or addicted to antidepressants, although they can become addicted to antianxiety medications. It is possible to become dependent upon medications, a condition in which the medication is needed or side effects emerge.

Your dose of Effexor was actually a “starter dose” at 37.5 mg. As the dose was low, the side effects and withdrawal reactions would also have been minimal. You did mention some very important points, however. We should never withdraw from medications without the approval of our prescribing physician and/or psychiatrist. It’s also important to contact our prescribing physician when any unusual side effects or reactions occur. It’s important to remember that all medications should be monitored and controlled by our physician. We should not change the dosage, frequency, times we take the medications, or what other medications we also use without the approval of our physician.

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