My life 6 months off Sertraline Coping without medication

In this video I share my experience having been off sertraline for 6 months. Apologies for it being so rambly and slow in my delivery but it was quite a challenging video to make as I am a little unsure about how I currently feel. I found it quite difficult to summarise. I do hope there is some value in what I share and it helps you in some way. Thankyou for watching and supporting my channel.
Feel free to drop me a DM on Instagram if you would like to reach out. / rishikumar_
Check out my mental wellbeing app at
joinzeal.co.uk
Thanks for your support always!
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My names Rishi and I'm based in London, England. After suffering anxiety and poor mental health for two years I decided to take control of my mental wellbeing. It's an ongoing journey and I'm learning new ways to manage it every day. Through this channel, I hope I can inspire people to do the same. You're not alone and it's ok to have bad days, we just need to learn how to navigate them. I am also super passionate about entrepreneurship and self development and I run three start ups.

[@fawnforest2]

I went off prozac 4 months ago after being on it for 20 years. I am really scared right now because it feels like I am fully depressed again. I want to try this out for at least a year. I am glad I found your video because I know I need support.

[@hendrxfn]

I hear you Man…A difficult decision to come off this type of medication. Anything else is not a big deal to stop, whether it be diabetic or high blood pressure meds, because changing our lifestyle for a better more healthier one can eliminate those meds from our lives without side affects. SSRIS are, I think, very different. Glad to hear it’s working for you and how honest you were with how things have been.

[@riship88]

Thank you!

[@sunshine6616love]

This is such a helpful video, thank you. I have been on lexapro for about a month but want to stop soon. I am nervous though because I've have bad experiences with stopping other antidepressants in the past.

[@riship88]

Thanks Lisa, good luck on your journey!

[@faaltov]

Why the fuck, you haven't even started feeling the real effects

[@tammyarine]

I came off sertraline 3 months ago and ran back to the doctor, so I see where SSRIs can get addictive as well. I felt that on sertraline, I was truly my "best self" and thought I was ready to move on without them. The side effects when coming off were dizziness and lightheadedness all the time and irritability. I started a new job right when I came off them, which wasn't the brightest decision on my part and definitely contributed to the heightened anxiety/depression, but decided to come off them mainly as I had gained 30 lbs over the course of 9 months (!!!) I was prescribed Lexapro and a little anxious to start them.

[@riship88]

I've not heard of lexapro. How are you feeling now? What are you going to do?

[@caglarbas]

iyi think also,they are addictive,instead of tapering in months😔God help us

[@blossompure]

I was on lexapro for a yr it worked amazingly dont worry

[@salligriffin2847]

@@blossompure I have been going through hell on Lexapro for 12 weeks Feel worse than before I started

[@Gian-ie5ew]

Bro you just have to man up and not rely on medication when you experience a minor inconvenience

[@glorfla]

3 weeks off Duluxatine after taking it for 1 year. you did help. This is my 2nd video watching you. has been encouraging. I get what your saying. Best Wishes on each new day.

[@riship88]

Thanks for your comment Fleur. I hope you are keeping well x

[@glorfla]

Hi Rishr, into 4th week off duluxatine, severe migraine. Muscle cramps, pain in joints when I move. Digestive and bowel problems. I read can take up to 6 wks. Will stick it out. Age 68 retired so can give myself rest that's needed. On good vibe, recognizing Myself. Best wishes.

[@tough2lie382]

Well done I'm on Sertraline 4 years now. I have to say that it helped a lot.

[@riship88]

Really glad to hear that it's worked for you.

[@Godisgood137]

Do you recommend my doctor prescribed me them because I’m only 21

[@panicmonkey]

I’m off Zoloft for 3 weeks now…overall good but had some depression come back today. Trying to distract myself. Your video helps me feel less alone.

[@riship88]

Thanks Brittany. Have you tried ashwagandha? After I cam off the zoloft/sertraline the ashwagandha seems to have kept my anxiety and negative thoughts at bay. Might be worth looking into.

[@panicmonkey]

@@riship88 thanks! I will give it a try and 5htp. How are you doing?

[@faheeemmuhammad3683]

I have been off sertraline nearly more than three months. And it is still going a bit rough on me as I had been on anti depressants for a long time but I eventually getting support from family members a lot.

[@riship88]

Thats great to hear mate

[@theycallmedip]

Thank you so much for this vulnerability. I'm tearing up right now because I can sense this feeling of almost confusion from you(or just an inability to put words to the effect) that comes after trying to come off SSRIs. I'm in the middle of coming off of Prozac and it's atleast my 4th try at coming off SSRIs. I know this time is different but man this shit is so fucking brutal. I hope your well.

[@riship88]

Hey Jay, thank you for your comment. It was a very venerable time, I was often unsure if I was making the right decision and that fear of relapsing but I knew it was a jump I had to make. I have doing very well thank you, I hope this attempt to taper for you is positive and successful. Sending good wishes your way.

[@MiracaleB]

I am on my second month of sertaline. I definitely see an improvement in my anxiety. I can also relate to wanting to be on the meds forever but at the same time I don’t want to feel dependent on them. So as I’m continuing my sertaline I am also figuring out a routine that I can get myself into for exercise, meditation and gratitude.

[@riship88]

This is great! You're definitely on the right track. So happy to hear this.

[@shaun4443]

Thanks. 🙏🙏

[@cesar_145]

I 've ben off of it since almost a month and a half, it's weird but a guess it also was when I was on it. The problem that I had is that I had nobody to talk to when I was on it and neither do I have now, well except my mom once and a while. For the most part I've been through it alone. Now that I have found these channels, and I hear and read different expreciences is that some things make sence.

[@riship88]

There are also several Facebook groups you can join which are great to talk to others going through the same thing.

[@mattmatt148]

Thanks for sharing. Im also in the process of coming off.. Im currently taking 25mg's every other day, so essentially 12.5mgs per day. So far so good. Im about to switch 25mg's every 3 days till the end of October, and then off completely.

[@riship88]

Sounds like you're on the right track.

[@mattmatt148]

@riship88 Pretty much off of them. Very few side effects. Mainly irritability.

[@memelord-se5nl]

unfortunately i take sertraline for a month for anxiety and depression works great even after stopping it but depression and anxiety returns. i don't like idea of taking antidepressants for a year

[@shanec701]

I can’t relate to Sertraline but, I am 5 wks off taking Citlapram for 9 years. It has been & continues to be the second hardest challenge I’ve ever had to face in life. The withdrawals for me have been extreme & im still going through it. So many emotions, so much pain, dark times and deep anxiety & depression. I commend you for the journey you have gone through to get where you are now. I have to learn to be me again,such a strange thing to have to go through. I all but hope I can start to manage my life somehow without these tablets… It’s awful, not having one Hope or a happy moment as yet….. 🤞 Good luck to you….

[@shanec701]

@Aadil Samad sadly i went down hill very badly and again, sadly had to go back onto a medication to try and level me back out. It got very very dark and I genuinely felt I was going loopy. Currently on day 5 of the new medication and sadly not feeling a lot better, hoping it kicks in soon as this is as has been unbearable. I love the fact the doctors don’t inform you that, yes, they may help you greatly, but if you want to come off them, good luck…. I really wanted to make it through but at this time it’s just been impossible.

[@riship88]

I hear they are very similar.

[@shanec701]

@@riship88 well, I’m not seeing that myself. Citalopram had a small amount of side effects, but I could function pretty normally to an extent. Mirtazapine is heavily sedating, I’m now on 30mg rather than the starting of 15mg, sadly it doesn’t seem to be helping much with my depression, anxiety is calmer but still there, but trying to wake up in the morning is a challenge, a hard, annoying challenge which is weird. I wake up, but have no drive to get out of bed… back to the doctors Monday to discuss… if I could, I’d stay in bed all day no problem, obviously can’t do that as need to work. Thankfully self employed as if I was employed, I think I would of been sacked by now for being late daily… just can’t win currently.

[@riship88]

@@shanec701 Sorry to hear this! I hope the doc can provide some further support. Let us know how you get on.

[@silentninja2754]

How was your tapering? I've been on Celexa for 10 years and started tapering over a month ago. It's been rough with the waves of anxiety and depressive mood

[@janesmith8641]

The reason I have not stopped the med is because it shuts off the repetition of my thoughts. I am a worrier. I am thinking of going off. Thanks for the info

[@riship88]

You're welcome, good luck x

[@SMSBJM1981]

Agreed, I hate the non-stop thoughts and continuous anxiety. It is so tiring.

[@victoriabenoit9483]

I just wanted to let you know that you are a very beautiful man. 😊😍 Also, I've only been taking sertraline 100mg for about 6 months now, and I tried to stop it cold turkey, but the light headedness and dizziness have been too much, so I'm still on it. I don't mind still being on it because the healthy eating, exercising, and meditation I was doing prior just wasn't enough.

[@riship88]

Thanks for the very kind comment Victoria. Sounds like being on it has been quite positive for your lifestyle so worth continuing. Good luck.

[@reversefulfillment9189]

I feel a bit strange or lucky because my withdrawal was hardly noticeable. i was taking zoloft 100mg a day for a few years. A friend gave me some psylocibe mushrooms. I took the dose and nothing happened. I did shrooms years ago and I was disappointed. Sam told me he tripped pretty hard. I read about it after suspecting that sertraline was interfering with the psychodelic trip. I decided to stop taking the ssri and had no real problems. I was taking kratom, so that might have helped, after a couple months I got mushrooms again and had the profound experience i was looking for. Now it's probably 4 months since stopping cold turkey, i have some problems with motivation at times but I have another solid mushroom trip planned later this summer. The wife was suspicous of me coming off but she hasnt noticed any obvious problems and shes watching for them. Good luck to everyone.

[@riship88]

No dabbled with mushrooms yet. It's on the to do list.

[@hunterdunker1011]

This is my first day off sertraline.

[@riship88]

Good luck mate, be kind to yourself and shout If you have any questions

[@hunterdunker1011]

@@riship88 I have one um.the specialist gave me pimozide 1mg.with sertraline 50mg right. He told me to use 2 off 1 every day is that um save.because I did that and am feeling a numbness and pain in my left arm and am terrified! 😳😟

[@juliatrapp5733]

You went feel the withdrawal systems kick in until a week later

[@littlemamacituhhh6484]

How are you doing? I’m scared to start them.

[@user-ob5ly2ry5l]

I'm on prozac since 5 months i want to stop it how can i deal with the symptoms?

[@simarmanhalpuri1263]

I really need a favour from you. Like i am battling with anxiety from long time. And it just took almost everything from me. I started zoloft about 6 weeks ago. But till now i have not seen any positive effect. But i have seen lot of threats that some time it may take about 3 months to kick in. What should i do. Like my doctor said its now up to you if you want to give it 3 months or change ssri. But i am so confused. Please reply if possible.

[@riship88]

6 weeks is still early in my opinion. Give it 3 months and then decide if you want to try another ssri or stop completely. Good luck Simar

[@simarmanhalpuri1263]

@@riship88 thnx alott brother. I ll reply here after my 3 months fight now.

[@blakejohnson8639]

Congrats for getting off the drugs. They are so bad for your long term health. Your brain is STILL getting back to normal after two years on it. Give yourself at least a year. Great video!

[@user-uz4iy1ye3m]

Sir no new Updates?i hope ypu feel great.i took 6 years long .at end 10mg then half of it for a month. I stop taking it in start of july now October feel still depressed every afternoon. I hope doin well sir.ypu helping alot those who. Are on it Thanks alot

[@riship88]

Thank you, i'll hopefully get around to doing an update soon. Just been busy with other aspects of life. I hope you're well sir.

[@user-uz4iy1ye3m]

First 3 months was rougher now after 3 months feel little bit okay without it.just depressed afternoon time jogging 🏃‍♂️ help alot never give up be a fighter...

[@user-ob5ly2ry5l]

Anyone tried prozac?

[@rajmehta6210]

Any issues with bad skin whilst you were on it ? Been on 75mg for 1.5yrs and find it's very helpful.

[@riship88]

No issue with bad skin 🙂

[@Jane-yg3vz]

It can take years to get over SSRI discontinuation syndrome. I was never depressed or anxious but was put on meds because I wasn't bonding with my baby. It's been a 15 year rollercoaster ride of being on and off various SSRIs and antipsychotics. I would get depressed when I stopped taking them but didn't know it was normal when stopping a drug like this. The doctors just kept telling me that my symptoms were coming back and I need to go back on the meds. The last time I stopped it took two years before the fog was lifted and after another year I was still depressed. Like a fool, I went to a psychiatrist and they said I had bipolar 2, which is what they seem to tell everyone with discontinuation syndrome (which doesn't exist according to these pill pushers). I am now taking an anticonvulsant and an antipsychotic which I'm now trying to wean myself off of.

[@mattmoore8897]

Hope you are doing well Jane

[@Jane-yg3vz]

@@mattmoore8897 Thank you so much. I'm actually doing great. I found a Mikhaila Peterson video where she talked how her and her father healed depression through diet so I decided to give it a try out of desperation. I started eating nothing but fatty meat and within 3 days, all of my anxiety symptoms were gone. After a month my depression started to lift and it's been improving daily ever since. The withdrawal symptoms from my psychiatric meds was pretty much nonexistent. When I eat something that isn't meat, my symptoms come back within an hour. I also got rid of my gut, bad eyesight and high blood pressure. I'll never go back to eating myself into sickness.

[@mattmoore8897]

@@Jane-yg3vz that's great! I wish you the best

[@JinKobayashiHearMe]

Is it really true? What kind of fatty meat? Does it have to be fatty? Do you have a link to a website explaining this method? Sorry for all the questions but I'm very interested in feeling better.

[@Jane-yg3vz]

@@JinKobayashiHearMe I eat cheaper cuts of steak with not enough fat so I buy beef fat from the Butcher, cut it into cubes, and fry it with my steak. I also eat chicken wings cooked in the oven, egg yolks, and bacon. If you don't eat enough fat, you'll get constipated. I don't know of any one website to send you to that has all the info, but I learned a lot from Dr Ken Berry, Kelly Hogan, and others on KZbin, and googled things I was confused about. Once you get over the carb withdrawal, your body will tell you what it needs. You'll crave fat if you need more and it'll start to taste gross when you don't need it. I eat when I crave meat and fat, and eat until I'm full.

[@susanmorgan4151]

Think seriously about trying a non-SSRI , even then , think short term. I have experienced mind/ brain alterations from Paroxitine.

[@tough2lie382]

Just wondering have you ever tried cbd for anxiety and depression. Ive heard some good reviews.

[@riship88]

I've tried some cbd tablets on some occasions, I'm now looking into cbd vapes and Psilocybin. Not come to a conclusion yet as to what is best for me.

[@tough2lie382]

Thanks Ritchie you're doing good work. The problem I have with Sertraline is the weight gain after long term use, plus the loss of libido. Both these things didn't bother me at first but as time goes by its worrying me more.

[@firestopfiles]

How do you feel 1 and a half years later? I’m curious if stopping sertraline can have long term side effects to the dopamine system

[@riship88]

I've been feeling great. I have a good mindfulness routine and manage it with supplements. So far so good.

[@arnietrinidad7986]

You look so good in this video. I just started on sert but am afraid of weight gain, which I read a lot in other videos. Did you experience that while you were on it? But it looks like you're in your ideal weight now. Was it difficult to achieve that?

[@riship88]

Thanks Arnie. Actually for most of my time on the meds I was actively pursing a weight loss diet (from a fitness prospective) but I did experience other side-effects like ED and low libido. But I wasn't too bothered about sex at the time so wasn't a big deal. I would try and keep exercising if you can as that will help with your mental wellness anyway.

[@arnietrinidad7986]

@@riship88 last question, did you ever have brain fog? I have a pretty bad one currently.

[@toogoodforyou359]

​@@riship88 Hey Rishi, been watching all your videos, from ur 1st video about sertaline to your most recent ones, it looks like you lost a massive amount of weight was it due to the sert and reduced appetite or just fitness efforts?

[@riship88]

Hey Sam, thanks for the comment. Yes I was on a weight loss programme that year, lost 15kg

[@toogoodforyou359]

@@riship88 great! Thanks for the reply, did u notice any skin dullness on this medication? I have south Asian skin like you and prone to hyperpigmentation

[@sproles88]

What were the side effects from coming off of antidepressants

[@riship88]

Shakes, brain zaps, some nervousness. In some cases I've heard from friends they've felt nausea and irritation.

[@ricdynasty]

What dose did you start at and where did you finish ?

[@riship88]

Started on 25 then went up to 50 for about 2.5 years

[@kaylablackburn8332]

I don't know why you got off, but if your life isn't MUCH better off then why did you get off? I don't see the positive in getting off if you need it to help you and your depression. Is it the stigma? Best wishes!!! I got off because it wasn't helping my panic attacks anymore. I experience A LOT of rage / anger at 15 days off. Did you have any of that?

[@riship88]

I wanted to see if I could self manage life. That was the only reason. No I never experience rage/anger when coming off. I was actually relatively calm and high spirited. I guess it affects us all differently.

[@kaylablackburn8332]

@@riship88 Did you continue to self manage? I'm not far off but I don't want to go back... The future will tell.

[@youngbaz7648]

I started Sertraline 3 weeks ago and i was already feeling better before starting it. Psy said to still take it but i wasnt welcoming the idea. Still did it but now im starting to tapering it off (3rd week) but really slow. What do h think?

[@riship88]

You have to play the long game with Sertraline but if you really feel that its not for you then better to stop and try alternative methods. Good luck Young!

[@Vincent_Preston]

If this works really well and I dont have crazy sexual side effects, I may just stay on it for life.

[@riship88]

I considered staying on it for life 🥴

[@mohammadkhadra2604]

Zoloft was prescribed more frequently than any other antidepressant in the USA in 2018 with over 38 million prescriptions.

[@riship88]

WOW! That's crayz, thanks for sharing.

[@vitthalwadje5934]

Sexual dysfunction !!