Users share mixed experiences with cycling SSRIs for seasonal affective disorder. The original poster responds well to them with quick effects and few sides, and their therapist suggested seasonal use, but others report unpleasant withdrawal like brain zaps and advise against cycling or cold turkey stops. Suggestions include trying bupropion or vitamin D instead, while debates arise over whether antidepressants are overprescribed or genuinely helpful for some.
What this discussion establishesWhether cycling SSRIs is a reasonable strategy for SAD or if it risks harm and should be avoided; differing opinions on the medical system's handling of antidepressants
Still openBest long-term approach for SAD responders and whether seasonal cycling avoids permanent issues
Nothing here is advice.
Hi, wondering if anyone has tried cycling an SSRI such as Lexapro, taking it for four to six months each year and stopping the rest of the time.
Why do that? If your mood holds steady while on it but drops when you stop, staying on continuously makes more sense. If it stays fine without the drug, then cycling or restarting seems unnecessary. Is this about seasonal affective disorder that does not respond to bright light?
Doctors hand these out freely. I wonder why. They just numb you without addressing the real cause. They tell you something is wrong with your brain and offer a pill. Not attacking you personally, but I have watched what these drugs did to people close to me. One was given antidepressants after breaking an ankle, and now there have been two suicide attempts plus endless medication changes. The system feels corrupt.
These drugs are imperfect and often fail, yet they remain one of the better choices available for many. Therapy like CBT works equally well but costs too much for lots of people. After decades of severe depression and trying nearly every option, I found they can save lives even if not perfect. The system has problems but calling it evil ignores how it helps, such as with antibiotics preventing death from pneumonia. Sorry about your friend, but blaming everything on one prescription probably overlooks other factors.
Was given trazodone and immediately threw it away instead of using it.
Why cycle an SSRI at all? Coming off one after the highest dose feels rough, with those electric shock sensations in the head called brain zaps. As others noted, you either need them or you do not, so experimenting with cycling strikes me as unwise.
That is not accurate. Someone who enjoyed hard physical work suffered a compound ankle fracture from a fall off a deck. Mentioning feeling down from being stuck at home led straight to an antidepressant prescription. That made things worse, leading to more drug combinations and an endless cycle of trying whatever might help. I appreciate imaging and lab tests, but doctors who push pills lazily without real regard for overall health deserve criticism. It is a profitable industry for a reason.
This is about SAD. SSRIs work very well for me with minimal sides and they kick in fast, often within two or three days. I am moving back to an area where my SAD gets severe, so I am thinking about restarting Lexapro. These meds get criticized but they help a portion of people and can be lifesavers. My worry is long-term problems from ongoing use. Light therapy barely helps my symptoms.
Have you considered bupropion? It might suit cycling better and it is approved for SAD too.
Thanks for mentioning that. I will consider bupropion. Previously I have done better with serotonin-boosting meds for SAD, so I am unsure about this one, but it is worth thinking over.
No, that is not how these drugs work. Many require consistent use for four to eight weeks before any effect. They are not meant for occasional or as-needed use. This post is frustrating.
The poster says these meds help on that timeline for them. If they work without issues, why worry? The chemical action happens fast, though the mood improvement delay remains unexplained. SAD is real and can disable people, so using meds only in the needed months is probably standard practice.
I have tried it and these are not really meant for cycling; you are either on or off. I stopped and switched to breath work, which helps a lot.
The original poster was just asking about something new to them and trying to learn. Answer the question if you want, or skip it, but no need for condescension. This forum works well because members avoid treating question-askers that way.
Cycling SSRIs is not a standard medical approach and clinicians generally do not endorse it. If stopping, taper slowly.
Many comments overlook that the poster explained this is for seasonal affective disorder and that it helps them. Stopping during months when it is not needed does not seem problematic.
I would stick with Prozac unless you know it does not suit you. Its long half-life makes it well tolerated, so cycling should be feasible. Many drugs work better when used thoughtfully rather than as routinely prescribed. For example, Lamictal gets ramped up quickly to high doses with instructions to stay on it indefinitely, even though problems can appear after years. The field tends to be rigid, which helps with things like surgery or antibiotics but less so with mental health.
There are many opinions here, some helpful and some risky. This question really belongs with a psychologist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Primary care doctors sometimes stray outside their expertise on psych meds. An online forum is not ideal for advice, though it can help generate questions for professionals. As a licensed clinician I have not seen much cycling on and off SSRIs, which probably is not advisable, but some with SAD reduce their dose off-season to lessen sides like libido issues. Talk to a psychiatrist or NP before changing anything.
I agree. My therapist actually proposed the idea after seeing it work for a few other patients, but I wanted more views before deciding.
After many years on antidepressants I cannot picture cycling them myself because missing even one day brings bad withdrawal, including brain zaps. If the dose is low and you only need them certain months it might be fine, but stay careful with higher doses or multiple meds.
What long-term issues worry you? They are generally considered safe with plenty of data. You could try cycling but it is not advised, and you should taper rather than stop abruptly to avoid triggering depression. It also depends on your dose level.
Prozac is simpler to taper due to its long half-life, yet it affects libido more than some others. Lexapro differs from Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil and helps many people. If something works for you, no need to switch just for half-life reasons. Different side effect profiles matter.
For SAD specifically, check your vitamin D levels and consider up to five to ten thousand IU daily during winter. It may not help but trying carries no risk.
Already taking five thousand IU of vitamin D with K, and my levels stay good.
My psychiatrist, who keeps current on research, worries about possible permanent serotonin dysregulation from extended SSRI use.
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