Is what I say kept private?

Yes. Your records and what you say stay confidential, as the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 requires. The rare exceptions, such as a serious risk to your safety, are explained at your first visit, before anything else.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book directly, for yourself or for someone in your family.

Will I have to take medication?

Not necessarily. Medication is one option among several, and any decision about it is made with you, with the reasons laid out. Nothing is prescribed in a hurry.

Any past prescriptions or reports, and a list of the medicines you take now. For a video consultation, a quiet room where you won't be overheard.

Can I come with someone?

Yes. Bring whoever makes it easier. Part of the conversation may still be just the two of you, and that is normal.

Can I stop antidepressants on my own?

Once you start to feel better, it is natural to want to stop taking an antidepressant. Some people stop because of side effects, others because they worry about being on medicine for long, or simply because they feel well again. All of these are reasonable reasons to talk about stopping. The safest way to do it is gradually, with your doctor.

Why not just stop?

There are two main risks in stopping suddenly.

Discontinuation symptoms. The brain adjusts to the medicine, and stopping abruptly can cause dizziness, "electric shock" sensations, flu-like aches, poor sleep, vivid dreams, irritability or anxiety. These are not a sign of addiction, but they can be unpleasant and are often mistaken for the depression coming back.
Relapse. Stopping too soon after recovering raises the chance that depression returns. This is why treatment usually continues for some months after you feel well.

How long do people usually take them?

Guidelines generally recommend continuing an antidepressant for at least six months after you feel better from a first episode of depression. People who have had several episodes, or very severe ones, are often advised to continue for longer. The right length for you depends on your history, and is worth deciding together with your doctor rather than alone.

How coming off is usually done

Choose a calm time, not in the middle of an exam, a move or a crisis
Reduce the dose in steps over weeks, sometimes months, rather than stopping at once
Go more slowly if you notice discontinuation symptoms
Keep follow-up appointments, so early signs of relapse are caught
Agree in advance what you will do if low mood returns

Some medicines need a slower taper than others. Your doctor can also switch the form or strength to make small reductions possible.

If you have already stopped

If you stopped suddenly and feel unwell, don't panic, and don't restart at your old dose without advice. Speak to your doctor: often the simplest fix is to restart at a lower dose and taper more gently.

Are antidepressants addictive?

Antidepressants do not cause cravings or a need to keep increasing the dose, the way alcohol or some sleeping tablets can. But because the body adapts to them, they should be reduced gradually. Both things are true at once.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please don't wait: call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, all day and night) or go to the nearest emergency department.

More on depression and low mood Find a time

Sources

This article is general information, not a substitute for advice about your own situation.