getting of medication?

I wonder if it is possible to get off my meds and live a normal life out of an institution. My psychiatrist thinks thats impossible but however i believe differently. I got diagnosed with schizoaffective when I was 16 and am now 20. One thing I found significant is I never have heard any voices or hallucinated. But I have showed odd behavior in the past. But honestly i feel like a 100% normal functional adult male. I was just wondering if anyone knows of anyone who has gone of meds and been perfectly fine. MOst the time I have a hard time believing I even have this illness. It makes me think alot about my past. But this is a complicated subject and dont feel like breaking out a whole story this minute.

Hi Gwillsonpills,

I was taking an anti-depressant for around 4 years but am now not taking it; and I am now happier. When taking medication, never view it as a long term thing and always have a plan to wean off it. It will be difficult - probably - at first when you stop taking it, but try to generate some tenacity/mental strenght and tell yourself hat you can get through it because you are a strong-minded person. Dont' be scared of setbacks too - I'm sure that you've had a rough life and you 'deserve' to feel down every now and then, okay?

Kevin

Hi Gwillsonpills.

Hearing voices and/or hallucinating, while they are the most common symptoms in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders they arn't necessary. The reason it's called a spectrum disorder is because there are alot of different symptoms that are associated with it. And when you exibit enough of the symptoms is when the diagnosis is made.

The best way to find out is to talk to your doctor. There are some who have been diagnosed schizophrenic/schizoaffective who have been able to (with the assistance of their dr.) slowly reduce their meds untill they are off them completly and live outside of institutions (I believe the only reason you would have to be institutionalized would be if you were a danger to yourself or others). I have heard that some of them experience a relapse at some point after being off their meds though. And most who just quit taking them relapse rather quickly. But if you are lucky enough to have a milder form you may be able to live med free for the rest of your life. Your dr. is the best (and safest) way to find out.

Zero