YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced, changing their meds, when did they decide to and why. How did they bring it up with their psychiatrist etc. Just stories and experiences. Because I'm thinking about it, it would really help me out.

Hello heart!

I would switch my meds when I had an episode that was out of line with how well my doctor and I thought my medication was working. Every medication has side-effects and downsides, so if a medication is not "pulling its own weight" and letting me sink into depression that I thought I had left behind me, I took that as a signal to switch.

That said, I think all psychoactive medicines have a "poop-out" factor - they greatly diminish in effectiveness over time. Thank goodness that I used the small window of energy given to me by my different medications to use cognitive therapy, mainly reading cognitive therapy self-help books, because in general I find mental health professional's priorities to be out of line with their patients (maybe I am too cynical and pessimistic).

I have been on the same meds for 10 years, and about 6 months ago I raised the dose, to good effect.

All the best, take care, we here on the forum are cheering for you and for your greatest today and tomorrow!