7 hours ago, Need to End said:

It feels like depression and fear more than anything . I feel like I’m the only one doing this (being in bed, not engaging with kids, crying, scared…) it’s making me insane and feel like I won’t recover. 

You will recover. Feels like this in the moment. Wave brain. Don’t feel guilt for doing what your body tells you, you must. 
 

6 hours ago, Need to End said:

Also reading about this guy who advised people to kill themselves is freaking me out.  I already have suicidal ideation and reading this makes me feel like sometimes thays the only option and im so scared. I don’t want to do that but im scared I won’t heal and can’t deal with this pain for a lot longer.  How do I deal with this thought process?  It’s scaring me 

That guy was behaving badly. Don’t read that thread or others that trigger you. Just think. He said that to people but went on to recover himself. So recovered even though he thought he wouldn’t. Recovery will come for you. 

11 hours ago, Need to End said:

It feels like depression and fear more than anything . I feel like I’m the only one doing this (being in bed, not engaging with kids, crying, scared…) it’s making me insane and feel like I won’t recover. 

 

I was bedbound and then housebound for an incredibly long time. Not just on weekends.

 

10 hours ago, Need to End said:

Also reading about this guy who advised people to kill themselves is freaking me out.  I already have suicidal ideation and reading this makes me feel like sometimes thays the only option and im so scared. I don’t want to do that but im scared I won’t heal and can’t deal with this pain for a lot longer.  How do I deal with this thought process?  It’s scaring me 

 

He went on to recover even though he was like that.

Thank you guys.   Im down to 2.6mg and held for 3 days.   I think Ill resume small drops tonight.  How does anyone get through a divorce, a market crash and a taper crash?   Its like every day feeling like my world is falling out from under my feet.  The level of fear is something Ive never had before. 

5 hours ago, Need to End said:

Thank you guys.   Im down to 2.6mg and held for 3 days.   I think Ill resume small drops tonight.  How does anyone get through a divorce, a market crash and a taper crash?   Its like every day feeling like my world is falling out from under my feet.  The level of fear is something Ive never had before. 

I can so relate to this @Need to End. I feel like I'm in freefall. Fear, doom and dread all the time. It's absolutely horrible ATM

6 hours ago, Need to End said:

Thank you guys.   Im down to 2.6mg and held for 3 days.   I think Ill resume small drops tonight.  How does anyone get through a divorce, a market crash and a taper crash?   Its like every day feeling like my world is falling out from under my feet.  The level of fear is something Ive never had before. 

These are all huge stressors. Market crashes are a tricky one. Personally I have a strong constitution for market dips. I’m not sure it will be an actual crash. Remember the markets produce say 10% on average. The actual years tend to be +20% or -10%! It just evens out over time. Rough with the smooth it’s all part of being an investor. 
 

in general it’s about not giving these things too much volume in your mind. Accepting it’s all out of your control and just focussing on the day. Past is the past. Tomorrow isn’t relevant until it’s here. Then it’s today anyway…..😀

I hear you . I’m in the mtg industry and it’s way more than 20%.  The fewest number of homes are listed for sale now than anytime in recorded history.  Normally I still thrive in these markets but with the taper I’m just not me so it’s like letting the crash eat me alive which is frightening. 

22 minutes ago, Need to End said:

I hear you . I’m in the mtg industry and it’s way more than 20%.  The fewest number of homes are listed for sale now than anytime in recorded history.  Normally I still thrive in these markets but with the taper I’m just not me so it’s like letting the crash eat me alive which is frightening. 

This is it isn’t it. In wd our minds can behave differently. I remember being really obsessed with a situation I’d not even thought about for 20 years let alone worried about. All of a sudden it was all I could do to ruminate on it. It was awful. I’ve often found reminding myself that’s it’s all wd has helped. Doesn’t take it away but stops the second fear kicking in. Takes constant practice the acceptance bit. It’s very hard in the thick of it.

That’s helpful feedback.  You’re right it’s so scary. 
 

are you recovered or still tapering?

2 minutes ago, Need to End said:

That’s helpful feedback.  You’re right it’s so scary. 
 

are you recovered or still tapering?

Pleasure. 
 

no I’m off all drugs 2 years now. Recovering. Slowly. 

Congrats man!  That also scares me . I’m still not even off and I hear people say they’ve been off and aren’t recovered.  Are you still in constant fear and anxiety and depression etc….?

 

it freaks me out that I may have years to go before I can live again. 

27 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Congrats man!  That also scares me . I’m still not even off and I hear people say they’ve been off and aren’t recovered.  Are you still in constant fear and anxiety and depression etc….?

 

it freaks me out that I may have years to go before I can live again. 

I’m a different case to you. Don’t worry so much about others. Just one day at a time. 
 

I dont have much in the way to neuro emotions any more they went about 7-8 months off the drug which I ctd. 

Okay / I feel so frightened that all these stories actually scare me more than help.  Everyone seems to be struggling for these crazy long periods of time which actually makes things feel even worse.  
 

 

53 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Okay / I feel so frightened that all these stories actually scare me more than help.  Everyone seems to be struggling for these crazy long periods of time which actually makes things feel even worse.  
 

 

Its best to not read others stories if they scare you. You are likley very vulnerable to to being triggered. Many need to stay clear of others threads whilst they are in this state.

 

We all imporve over time. Some recover quicker than others. Im personally not suffering to the point I cant live. I just have issues still that will resolve in time. Try not hyper focus as much as possible on the future. Start to look into acceptance, distraction, they will help you recover and find some peace inside of all of this. It is all a huge part of the journey more so than the tapering itself.

Hi @Need to End,

 

I’m really very sorry you’re going through this.  The level of fear and dread you’re describing sounds absolutely exhausting, especially along with everything else you have going on right now (divorce, work/market stress, tapering). That’s a lot for any nervous system to endure at one time.

 

I do think some of what you’re experiencing can happen during antidepressant withdrawal, especially the intense fear, the rumination, and that “I’ll never get better” feeling.  But that doesn’t mean this is who you are or that your present state is permanent. The fact that you remember liking yourself before all this is actually really meaningful. That version of you has not left you, but instead, it’s just buried under a very stressed and sensitized system at this time.

 

Importantly, when things get to the point of feeling this overwhelmed and you’re having thoughts that scare you, it’s safest not to carry that alone. Even though this is a supportive tapering community, it can still help to enlist some real-world support too, such as a doctor, therapist, or a family member or trusted friend, just so you have more support around you while things are this intense.  Please don't let the idea that a health professional may offer you more meds keep you from proper medical care if you need it.  You can always refuse more meds, but your health and safety come first.

 

Also, I'd gently suggest that if reading other members' severe stories is making your anxiety spike, it might be worth stepping away from those for a spell. You’re in a very sensitized state, and your brain is prone to latch onto the worst-case scenarios right now, even though they are not necessarily ever going to be your story.

 

You’re dealing with a combination of withdrawal plus major life stress, and that can understandably amplify everything. That doesn’t mean you won’t recover. It means your system is overwhelmed and needs as much steadiness and support as possible right now.

You’re not alone in what you're going through, even if it may feel that way sometimes.

Beautiful and caring response @Gaucho

Thank you both so much.  This kind of message helps me so much I can’t even tell you.  The relief doesn’t last long and I need it again but it helps a lot.  Thank you for being so supportive . This process is tricky as it’s hard for me to believe a drug is causing all of this.  

Also as of today I’m at 2.54mg.

I know someone who just dropped from 2.5 to 2.0 mg of Prozac and went int really bad shape. 
 

of course my heart goes out to them. And I’m here for them as we all need each other. 
 

reflecting on my situation is it safe to say that Going down by .03 or .02 per day is much gentler on the mind and body than a big .5mg drop at once?

 

im afraid of falling into a really bad place like they are.  

3 hours ago, Need to End said:

Also as of today I’m at 2.54mg.

Pop it in your signature so we can see. 

1 hour ago, Need to End said:

I know someone who just dropped from 2.5 to 2.0 mg of Prozac and went int really bad shape. 
 

of course my heart goes out to them. And I’m here for them as we all need each other. 
 

reflecting on my situation is it safe to say that Going down by .03 or .02 per day is much gentler on the mind and body than a big .5mg drop at once?

 

im afraid of falling into a really bad place like they are.  

Yes micro tapering as you are is much gentler generally on the nervous system. As you continue it’s worth considering holding at some point to give your system a chance to catch up. These lower doses are the hardest. You have to listen to your body and decide what you think is best. 

5 hours ago, Need to End said:

I know someone who just dropped from 2.5 to 2.0 mg of Prozac and went int really bad shape. 
 

of course my heart goes out to them. And I’m here for them as we all need each other. 
 

reflecting on my situation is it safe to say that Going down by .03 or .02 per day is much gentler on the mind and body than a big .5mg drop at once?

 

im afraid of falling into a really bad place like they are.  

 

Everybody is different, as is what they can tolerate.

 

Some do find that more continuous tapering in microdrops is more tolerable than a larger drop.

 

We have a post on tapering: Tapering Information - Tapering - The Antidepressant Harm and Recovery Forum

 

You may want to familiarise yourself with the "Brassmonkey Slide", created and followed by a former SA user who went on to recover. It is their method of microtapering as you describe, which they found more tolerable:

The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants

 

You could consider a tapering schedule similar to this, whilst also listening to your body and deciding on the sizes of drops that are suitable.

 

 

8 hours ago, Need to End said:

reflecting on my situation is it safe to say that Going down by .03 or .02 per day is much gentler on the mind and body than a big .5mg drop at once?

as long as you tolerate the drops and it follows the hyperbolical nature of the drug, with a general guideline of 10% max a month (you might tolerate less or more, it depends on your body) then yes.

at some point on a tiny dose close to the end, the hyperbolical curve stops being hyperbolical and more lineaer, but im pretty sure you are not on that point yet.

On 3/24/2026 at 6:57 AM, Need to End said:

Congrats man!  That also scares me . I’m still not even off and I hear people say they’ve been off and aren’t recovered.  Are you still in constant fear and anxiety and depression etc….?

 

it freaks me out that I may have years to go before I can live again. 

 

It strikes me that you might want to taper a little slower, perhaps with some holds periodically just to try to give you a bit more stability.

 

It might not be years before you are yourself again if you can taper at a tolerable rate. Some people live pretty normal lives whilst tapering, once they find a pace that is manageable for them.

Has anyone noticed their eyes get puffy after drops?

Hi all, I'm sorry for all the questions.   My industry continues to get worse as the war in Iran is causing a direct deterioration of what i do.  I am having a really hard time believing I can hang on to everything and make it through this all.   The fear of losing my career and the challenges with the taper seriously feel like too much on a daily basis.  Im feeling constant panic and hopelessness all day every day and wonder how someone survives this level of fear and pressure.