On 5/10/2026 at 11:48 PM, Catbird said:

2mcg equivalent to 0.002mg decreases. And I’ve been holding ~6 weeks in between.

That's a very small amount. Wish these drugs weren't so sensitising

5 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

That's a very small amount. Wish these drugs weren't so sensitising

Sure is Dave.

My dose was reduced from 6.36mg to 6.17mg (3%)... Took 12 days to settle down - better than 5% reduction but definitely dragged me through the gutter, with a lot of mortality and existential fear.

I've signed up for a 'flow headset' (renting £79/m) - apparently this can help mitigating withdrawal symptoms as well as lasting improvement of mood. They take about 3 weeks to work but certainly beneficial for at least half the people that use them.

15 minutes ago, PaintingDave said:

I've signed up for a 'flow headset' (renting £79/m) - apparently this can help mitigating withdrawal symptoms as well as lasting improvement of mood. They take about 3 weeks to work but certainly beneficial for at least half the people that use them.

Interesting. I’ve heard of these but don’t think they’re approved in Canada yet (where I am). It’s like TMS but less intense, is that right? And can I ask where you heard that it can help mitigate withdrawal symptoms?

17 minutes ago, SarahMc said:

Interesting. I’ve heard of these but don’t think they’re approved in Canada yet (where I am). It’s like TMS but less intense, is that right? And can I ask where you heard that it can help mitigate withdrawal symptoms?

I just clicked looking at a YouTube shorts ad. I wasn't convinced but there's proper research behind it and they're available on the NHS. When I went through the questionnaire it mentions being useful for antidepressant withdrawal. It's a Swedish Company that makes it, but apparently available in the US if that's any good for you?

I'm going to see what it does, apparently like TMS but just a slight tingle, 30mins a day then 3 days a week. Meanwhile I'm still on a waiting list for advice from a deprescribing clinic (over a year).

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@PaintingDave interesting. Well definitely keep us posted. I really hope it helps you.

Since it’s not approved for use in Canada yet, I think I’d have to travel to the US myself to get one and I’m not super keen on that right now 🫠

That’s really frustrating about the deprescribing clinic. Is that like actual doctors, or more like a tapering coach thing? As far as I know we don’t have anything like that here.

7 hours ago, SarahMc said:

Is that like actual doctors, or more like a tapering coach thing?

Sarah this is a clinic setup in the NHS here in the UK by Mark Horowitz, it started as just a single clinic in an area of London and they have rolled it out across the UK, but as I understand it is just a clinic in London taking patients from across the country so that is why it takes so long to get seen by them.

Outro Health is the best route in the US, not cheap, I don't think they are in Canada yet, they are slowly growing the states they cover.

9 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

I'm going to see what it does, apparently like TMS but just a slight tingle, 30mins a day then 3 days a week. Meanwhile I'm still on a waiting list for advice from a deprescribing clinic (over a year).

I would be very careful here, TMS is certainly not a good move, this might be ok, who knows, but personally I would treat it like supplements and avoid.

I've yet to see any evidence for these devices that isn't:

"we used it and some people said it helped"

Incidentally, that's the "evidence" for the effectiveness of antidepressants except they obfuscate those who said it harmed them and exaggerate numbers of those who said they helped. If you look at independent trials for AD effectiveness compared to placebo, they're often pathetic.

They almost certainly mean the short term, non-protracted withdrawal symptoms when they say this about the "flow" device. I tried flow, and it did nothing other than melt skin off of my forehead.

I've also looked at the published studies trying to show that the device is effective and was thoroughly unconvinced by how poorly controlled they seemed to be.

I've thrown everything at the wall for decades including endless counselling and psychedelics and survived (once was more than enough), but still stuck with the same essential problem of low mood every reduction I do (especially bad when I do small increments every week (sub 1%) instead of larger once a month (3-5%) despite that being the opposite of most people).

I'm trying a month of this tDCS (flow) and seeing what it does - anecdotal doesn't mean it hasn't genuinely helped some people. I understand if it doesn't work fine. As for supplements they haven't impeded recovery this year, L-Theanine, Vit D, omega 3... everyone's response is going to be different. I've made the only gains I could keep 7.5mg down to 6.16mg this year.

If my mood were to improve significantly from tDCS I could try a larger reduction. And if I have a shit week or two then jack it in and back to reducing 3% (of current dose) per month. I'm looking at 10 years to get to halfway receptor occupancy at my current rate which is really disheartening given all the other previous health setbacks I've had until 37 (OCD, Celiac disease, anemia). I'm 41 now and really want to get things moving.

I get the repeated sense that help isn't coming and thus I have to become the expert of my own catastrophe. Which almost limits the use of talking to others about it now.

14 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

I'm trying a month of this tDCS (flow) and seeing what it does - anecdotal doesn't mean it hasn't genuinely helped some people.

You have to do what is right for you. I have seen many be injured further trying things, so I am always cautious, the brain is sensitive instrument, and as a result I must be cautious with the thoughts I share with you too. It is also important to me that when a member shares they are going to try something, that we caveat that here so others reading the post don't assume that just because something is talked about in a thread that it is a good idea.

I look forward to hearing about how you get on with it. I hope it helps.

14 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

I get the repeated sense that help isn't coming and thus I have to become the expert of my own catastrophe. Which almost limits the use of talking to others about it now.

Sadly this is the realisation we all come to eventually, and is why we have a site like this still.

@PaintingDave I'm not saying don't try it, only pointing out that "there's research behind it" can be said for the drugs that caused us all to be here.

I hope it makes a positive difference for you.

I used the flow headset to some mild benefit, but now I've lost my job (my good job that held interests, and lovely colleagues). I can't even fucking cry because of these drugs, it's just raging anger.

And I can't lower my dose on schedule because I need to get through the puckering humiliation of countless interviews for jobs I don't want. What a shit storm.

9 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

I used the flow headset to some mild benefit,

Glad it offered some benefit

9 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

but now I've lost my job (my good job that held interests, and lovely colleagues). I can't even fucking cry because of these drugs, it's just raging anger.

I am sorry to read, loosing a job you like must be very hard, these drugs can cause very distressing numbing.

9 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

And I can't lower my dose on schedule because I need to get through the puckering humiliation of countless interviews for jobs I don't want. What a shit storm.

Don't worry about a schedule. Put that in the bin. Your body decides when and by how much for cut not a spreadsheet. Holding whilst things are more stressful is very wise. No doubt over this. Just accept, it's ok, not a race. :)

I used the flow headset to some mild benefit, but now I've lost my job (my good job that held interests, and lovely colleagues). I can't even fucking cry because of these drugs, it's just raging anger.

And I can't lower my dose on schedule because I need to get through the puckering humiliation of countless interviews for jobs I don't want. What a shit storm.

On 6/6/2026 at 8:43 AM, Luke said:

@PaintingDave I'm not saying don't try it, only pointing out that "there's research behind it" can be said for the drugs that caused us all to be here.

I hope it makes a positive difference for you.

Well definitely, we live in a world full of scams and nonsense. And because we don't know other users on a personal level, it's hard to tell what background and acumen they have for medicine and the body, and sheer nonsense that is peddled.

Homeopaths can still operate as part of the NHS which is bonkers (unless that's been changed). I wish I still had the link but tDCS devices have been reviewed positively in Nature, not just word of mouth.

Having got a bit more freedom of thought perspective after psychedelics, I have managed to feel a similar subtle effect after a week of flow (without an terrifying psychedelic) . But it's not magic and it can't change the hard knocks of life. Also expensive for what it is

6 hours ago, Chippy said:

Glad it offered some benefit

I am sorry to read, loosing a job you like must be very hard, these drugs can cause very distressing numbing.

Don't worry about a schedule. Put that in the bin. Your body decides when and by how much for cut not a spreadsheet. Holding whilst things are more stressful is very wise. No doubt over this. Just accept, it's ok, not a race. :)

Basically I can't express how nasty it is to have blocked emotions - which hurt my body a lot. So a setback like this tends to feed directly back into the core problem of anger/rage. I am considering a much smaller reduction below 1%, for the sake of the journey.

I've lost a lot in life and 'tried' to process it but for the last 15 years it's been a pressure cooker. Very unnatural, perverse even.

I finally did some housework, gardening and replaced a leaky sink before I got bad news. Luckily I did that a week back.

Also I'm waiting to find out if my younger sister has bowel cancer or something more manageable. Life just doesn't wait.

As for the flow thingy, it has sponges with saline. Hurt a lot the first time but it settled - it burned skin only right after a shower. The other 4 times it was fine just after washing my face.

I have to say there was a little 'freshness' in my stale thinking after a few days - sort of equal weighting of positive and negative and wider perspective. Unmistakable but again, a lot of money for something other folks can achieve by cheaper and convenient means.

Another thing that made me feel a bit better was watching the documentary "Medicating Normal". I'm sure it's familiar to some people here. Basically interviews with many different types of people who were given progressively more destabilising psych drugs.

Some were very high achievers beforehand, others had trauma - that remained untreated but now with the addition of horrific imbalances in their mind.

As I watch things like that it reminds me I'm not apathetic and unmotivated, it really has been the drugs. I'm only 41 and there's no logical reason for my frustration, confusion and lack of drive ... because of the decades of numbing it's hard to remember how sharp and industrious I was (and could still be).

Lexapro is really clinging to my soul and personality and thought processes, I wish others could see this problem (especially employers). It's hard enough to remember who I am.

Glad to hear the flow headset has been helping a bit and you’ve just generally been seeing some improvement. I know it can be really hard when we have significant life stressors during withdrawal, I’ve had that sort of thing set me back as well. But hopefully knowing that improvement is possible for you can help sustain you during these difficult times, and you can start to see that improvement again once the stress is a bit lower 😊

I'm sorry to hear you've lost your job, that's difficult enough for a healthy person to cope with, let alone in withdrawal.

17 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

I am considering a much smaller reduction below 1%, for the sake of the journey.

It really is not a race, trying much smaller cuts sounds wise.

17 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

Also I'm waiting to find out if my younger sister has bowel cancer or something more manageable. Life just doesn't wait.

Im very sorry to read, please send her some best wishes from us here, I hope it comes back as something easier to deal with. You are right life does not wait for us, we just have to priortise what we choice to engage with, somethings we have to, the rest we should let go. Your sister is super important obviously.

16 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

As I watch things like that it reminds me I'm not apathetic and unmotivated, it really has been the drugs. I

These drugs cause all sorts of issues, and you are not alone trying to unpick what is you and what is the drugs. I believe your conclusion here is correct, most if not all of your issues are the drugs.

Hope things settle down for you and you find a job that you can at least tolerate and you sister is ok.

On 6/18/2026 at 8:02 PM, SarahMc said:

Glad to hear the flow headset has been helping a bit and you’ve just generally been seeing some improvement. I know it can be really hard when we have significant life stressors during withdrawal, I’ve had that sort of thing set me back as well. But hopefully knowing that improvement is possible for you can help sustain you during these difficult times, and you can start to see that improvement again once the stress is a bit lower 😊

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm basically on hold until I find a new job. When I get settled I will reduce dose again. Still very keen to get some of my energy and drive back

On 6/19/2026 at 9:07 AM, Chippy said:

It really is not a race, trying much smaller cuts sounds wise.

Im very sorry to read, please send her some best wishes from us here, I hope it comes back as something easier to deal with. You are right life does not wait for us, we just have to priortise what we choice to engage with, somethings we have to, the rest we should let go. Your sister is super important obviously.

These drugs cause all sorts of issues, and you are not alone trying to unpick what is you and what is the drugs. I believe your conclusion here is correct, most if not all of your issues are the drugs.

Hope things settle down for you and you find a job that you can at least tolerate and you sister is ok.

Well you know it's nice that people here understand the nature of SSRI'S in general.

I have an ultrasound for mystery abdomen problem on Monday, then job interview Tuesday. Trying to distract self with world cup and cinema. Weather is at least cooler now.

Still no news on sisters condition they had to stop colonoscopy but got the other part scanned (nothing visual wrong).

Also gotta finish planning September travel, it's awfully easy to procrastinate on Lexapro.

5 hours ago, PaintingDave said:

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm basically on hold until I find a new job. When I get settled I will reduce dose again. Still very keen to get some of my energy and drive back

I think it makes sense to take a long hold once in a while, especially during more stressful times. The last thing any of us needs is to overload our nervous systems. So good job taking it slow, hopefully that means things will go smoothly when you restart your taper.

Sun 9th

A few things: I watched a sad film with my family "The Iron Claw", that I saw twice two years ago and this time actually cried - it was hard to hold it in for a change. It's weird to smell tears after so long without, and instead of pain behind my eyes when Lexapro shuts it down.

Still looking for work before my booked holiday in September which is an ordeal I wasn't relishing. Got interrupted by a family visit but managed to make a fuss of niece and nephew more than last time, actually some good emotions, if briefly.

I still get panic attacks and worries about the world at large even though I'm not looking for it (I'd be much calmer and occupied if I hadn't lost my job).

Sleep hasn't been good my dreams are steadily getting vivid and elaborate - often waking with the alarm in the middle of a rem cycle feeling awful like I had no rest at all :/

Can I ask you, if you also have sense of impending doom (you mentioned panic) and if you woke up sweaty?