Help Paroxetine/SSRI Discontinuation

[astr4]

Been taking 30 mg for like a decade now. I have never felt any improvement in mood but thought maybe the placebo would help regardless. The few times I've been late to renew my prescription gave me unbearable pain so I've been terrified to quit.

Just wondering what other people's experience with quitting paroxetine/ssri's has been. How are the brain zaps? Any advice for dealing with just the raw physical pain?

 

[NumbItAll]

The best way to avoid debilitating withdrawal effects is to do a slow taper (10% reduction at a time until stabilized at the new dosage). Here is a detailed guide on how and why. Doctors will usually recommend a tapering schedule that is too aggressive, if they are even aware of withdrawal at all. Cold turkey is of course even harder and riskier. Some people can get away with an aggressive taper, but the safest way is to take it slow. You can definitely do it. And yeah brain zaps are quite aggravating, I don't miss those.