Will Stopping The Long Term Use Of Anti-depressant Medication Change My Fiancees Personality?
Question submitted November 10, 2008: My fiancee uses anti-depressants (SSRIs) to treat SAD. She takes them for around eight months a year. I am concerned about the side effects of long term use, and I am having difficulty discussing this with her. I am also concerned that if she ever had to stop using them, her personality might alter. Are my concerns justified? CyberShrink’s answer posted 11-10-08: We assume that your fiancee has a prescription for her anti-depressant medications. We’re not about to second-guess her psychiatrist, but here are some things for you to consider: If your fiancee has maintained the pattern you described, namely eight months on an SSRI and four months off, you should be able to observe whether or not you perceive “personality” changes. The term, “personality” has many definitions or meanings. We think most people have this in mind: persevering or customary ways of expressing feelings and thoughts, and overt behavior patterns that appear to be characteristic
