The depressive symptoms are no longer present. Can I stop taking my antidepressant medication?
A. Often, women may treat their antidepressant medication as they would a decongestant or pain reliever. The symptoms are no longer present; the medication is no longer needed. However, with antidepressant medication, symptoms reduce and resolve when the medication is actively working. If the medication is stopped, the symptoms may return. Another possible complication is that the woman may experience uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms if she stops the medication abruptly. These symptoms are not because the medication is addicting (like alcohol or heroin), but because sudden stopping of any drug that has multiple effects on the body means that the body must readjust. These symptoms feel like mild flu and are not life-threatening. When women have reached the effective dose of their medication, it is important to address the possible tapering/discontinuing plan of the medication at that time. Generally, from the time the woman has reached an effective dose of medication, disconti
