: Hi Kim,

: Wonderful to see you. Sounds like a
: great plan.
: Here is what I usually suggest about
: going off ADs. Do the steps
: here with us. Do them slowly, one at
: a time, and let your brain heal.
: When you are on step seven and
: settled, we can guide you in
: developing a
: taper off the ADs which will be
: pretty painless.

: Also, there is a website called
: www.theroadback.org that has a
: lot of
: excellent advise about working with
: your doc in the process.

: You might also want to read the
: *getting started material* found
: behind the link on the left of our
: home page.

: Warmly,

: kathleen

Hi Kim,

If you are anything like me, you might be tempted to rush things. But, I would strongly encourage you to listen closely to Kathleen. Before I new anything about "Potatoes not Prozac," I had a nightmare situation coming off anti-depressants. The Doc said it had a long "half-life" so I shouldn't have to worry about it even if I came off all at once. BAD advice! It landed me in the ER. I thought I was dying! Even the ER docs couldn't figure it out. They thought I was into street drugs although they couldn't find any in my system. I've never touched illegal drugs. Turns out it was a ginormous panic attack from coming off the meds so suddenly. Then, my chemistry was so messed up that even going back on them, and coming off very gradually, was months of hell for me. I felt horrible and was still having anxiety attacks even after they said the meds couldn't possibly be the problem cause they were no longer in my system. After reading Kathleen's book I now understand what was going on in my brain chemistry to cause all that. My body was adjusting after coming off ADs and my serotonin and beta-endorphins were lower, I think, than any other point in my life. Doctors need to understand those meds better, and the body chemistry of those of us that have low serotonin and beta-endorphin and end up on ADs (generally sugar sensitive people).

Don't misunderstand me. I think its great you want to get off. I did too, and I am living proof it can be done. I am no longer on any AD or any other meds. But I would not recommend the road I mistakenly took. Listen closely to Kathleen. Do the program. Be patient. She isn't kidding when she says do the steps slowly and give you brain (and any emotional issues) time to heal. Then ask her about the painless way to get off AD before you start reducing them. Your patience will be a huge gift to yourself. :)
Hug, Lucy