Changing antidepressants?

Elly's reply to Jeanne. How fortunate your sister is to have such a caring sister as you, Jeanne! I am not qualified to advice on any medication and it would be unethical for me to intervene when someone is being treated by another professional.

However, I am quite happy to give some general advice, which I think would be helpful for anyone in a similar situation.

However much we would like to intervene at times on behalf of our loved ones, we have to accept that mostly they are capable of making their own choices. We may or may not like or agree with their decisions. The best we can do is to accept that they will have made the best decision possible, depending on their knowledge, understanding and awareness at that time.

I do not know if your sister is an adult - I certainly do hope so, with her being on these kinds of tablets. My suggestion is Jeanne, that you do whatever you can to keep the channels of communication open between you and your sister. That will enable you to point her to helpful resources, which she can access in her own time - even if that timing is one that makes you uncomfortable.

Here are some books you suggest she reads:
Your drug may be your problem. How and why to stop taking psychiatric medications
Toxic psychiatry

You can also suggest she does a search on Youtube. There are several videos available on the subject.

Your sister can always change to another psychiatrist if she does not like the advice she has been given. However, she must make that decision for herself. All you can do is be there for her, suggest, and support.

I wonder why your sister chose to go back on the medication. Maybe she felt unable to cope with the anxiety. Anxiety is a horrible condition. Your sister may have felt it easier to cope with life on antidepressants - regardless of the side effects - rather than having to deal with the anxiety.

Do explore all my pages on depression for ideas on how to deal with depression without medicaton.

I do hope this helps you to help your sister. Wishing you and your sister the very best, Jeanne.