Caution and Disclaimer

Caution

The calculator is incorrect. You are correct.

This is to say that tapering off psychiatric drugs is not simply about following what the calculator outputs: namely dropping down by 10% of the previous dose every 3 weeks.

There may be withdrawal problems, and you may need to be prepared to overcome your disappointment at needing to hold at the same dose, or even having to go back up to the previous dose.

You should always be prepared to reinstate the previous dose, or increase to a previous level. By prepared, this also implies that you will need backup doses, so make or order extra doses.

Put simply, unless you can obtain the doses at a moment’s notice, always order or prepare double what you need.

Support

These are the simple instructions, whereas in reality it is unlikely to be simple. Some guides even recommend a whole team, including medical professionals from different disciplines, family members and friends.

Surviving Antidepressants

Surviving Antidepressants is an excellent peer-based support network.

It’s important to note that they are not only about antidepressants. They cover any kind of dependence-producing psychiatric drug.

The moderators there will hold your hand, and make sure you’ve been properly informed to get you started.

Outro Health

Outro Health is a an initiative started by Dr Mark Horowitz, an antidpressant withdrawal survivor and co-author of the meta review which found a lack of evidence behind the serotonin imbalance theory.

From the home page:
“Outro is the first service for safe, evidence-based antidepressant tapering, designed by expert clinicians and patients who’ve been there”.

Inner Compass Initiative

The Inner Compass Initiative includes a withdrawal section. It places much emphasis on preparation before even starting, so please inform yourself before attempting to start a taper.

Good luck with your new skills!