Support for Recovery from Antidepressants and Insomnia - #48762

understand your concern and I want to reassure you that what you are experiencing is not just a thyroid problem but a reflection of long standing imbalance inside the body in Ayurveda we see hypothyroid tendencies mainly as kapha predominance with involvement of agni and vata the metabolism becomes slow digestion weak tissues do not get properly nourished and toxins start accumulating which then affects hormone regulation weight energy mood and menstrual health our approach is always to correct the root cause and not just suppress the reports

First and most important thing is to improve agni because unless digestion improves no medicine will work properly I usually advise patients to start their day with warm water and a small piece of fresh ginger before meals meals should be light freshly cooked and warm avoid cold food bakery items refined sugar excess dairy and late night eating

From Ayurvedic medicine perspective the commonly used and safe formulations are as follows

Kanchanar guggulu two tablets of 250 mg each twice daily after food with warm water this helps in regulating thyroid tissue metabolism reducing kapha accumulation and improving glandular function

Trikatu churna half teaspoon twice daily before food with warm water this improves digestion metabolism and helps in proper hormone conversion

Ashwagandha churna three to five grams at night with warm milk if milk suits you or warm water this supports the endocrine system reduces stress improves sleep and balances vata which is very important in thyroid disorders

Punarnava mandoor one tablet twice daily after food especially useful if there is weight gain swelling sluggishness or low energy

If constipation or bloating is present Triphala churna one teaspoon at night with warm water can be added to help detoxification

Along with medicines lifestyle correction is equally important daily walking gentle yoga practices like surya namaskar bhujangasana and setu bandhasana along with pranayama especially anulom vilom and bhramari are very beneficial stress management is crucial because chronic stress directly disturbs hypothalamus pituitary thyroid axis

Please remember healing in Ayurveda is gradual and deep we do not chase numbers immediately we work on restoring balance once digestion improves weight starts correcting stress reduces the thyroid function often stabilizes naturally medicines should be taken regularly for at least three to four months with proper diet and routine and reports should be reviewed periodically

Hello Seriously hats off to you for getting off meds after six years is tough. The fact that you’re doing it with a doctor and changing your habits shows you’re seriously dedicated to getting better.

I’m going to give it to you straight, but don’t worry, I’ll be careful. This is a tricky but important stage.

So, About Detoxing from Meds

I get this question a lot. Here’s the thing: Psych meds don’t hang around in your body as toxins for years. Your liver and kidneys break them down and flush them out naturally.

So, you don’t need detoxes or cleanses.

What you really need is: * To calm your nervous system * To get your brain chemicals back on track * To build up your energy

In Ayurveda, they call this: Manasika and Majja Dhatu Punarbalana (basically, rebuilding your mind and nerves)

Not detox.

What’s the Real Deal with Tapering?

The main worry isn’t toxins, it’s: * Anxiety coming back with a vengeance * Trouble sleeping again * Feeling all over the place emotionally * Feeling detached from yourself * Panic or wanting to hide from everyone

These are signs of: Vata going wild in your head and nerves

So, the goal is to: Stay calm, get some good stuff in you, and stay steady. Not purge.

Some Safe Ayurvedic Help for Withdrawal

These are easy, proven, and okay to use while tapering

Core Nervine Rasayana

1.Ashwagandha capsule 1 cap twice a day → Calms you down, lessens anxiety, helps you sleep

2.Brahmi capsule 300 mg once a day → Keeps your mood even, helps your brain adapt

3.Shankhapushpi syrup 15 ml twice daily → Really good for those annoying thoughts and feeling mentally worn out

This is way safer and makes more sense than Jadwar.

About Jadwar Jadwar is pretty strong. Traditionally, it’s used for: * Poisoning * Serious nerve problems * Epilepsy * Shock

But: Heads up: * Jadwar is strong stuff * You have to be careful with the dose * Too much can mess with your brain * Never try this on your own

In your case: I don’t think Jadwar is a good idea while you’re getting off antidepressants.

Your nerves are already on edge. Jadwar is too intense right now. Experts use it for emergencies, not for long-term healing.

How to Avoid Slipping Back

Most people mess this up, not because of herbs, but because of how they live.

Things you gotta do every day, no excuses: * Go to bed and wake up at the same time * Get sunlight in the morning * Walk for 30 minutes * No caffeine after 2 pm * Turn off screens after 9 pm * Eat a warm dinner before 7:30 pm

The Most Important Thing (That People Skip)

Abhyanga (oil massage) Every day, or at least 4 times a week: Warm sesame or mahanarayan oil Head, spine, bottoms of your feet This calms out the Vata in your nervous system directly.

In Ayurveda, this is more powerful than pills for anxiety.

What’s Up with Sleep Problems?

Trouble sleeping after antidepressants is because: * Your body isn’t making enough melatonin * Your brain chemicals are off-balance * Your nerves are on high alert

Best Ayurvedic sleep trick: * Jatamansi 500 mg at night * Warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg * Foot massage before bed * Don’t stare at the clock * It’s okay if you don’t sleep perfectly (seriously, it is)

The Truth (Super Important) After being on antidepressants for a while, your brain needs: 6–18 months to get back to normal. This doesn’t mean you’re relapsing. It means your nervous system is learning to work on its own again.

This is called: The neuro-adaptation phase And it’s not fun, but it won’t last forever.

To Sum It All Up You don’t need a detox. You need to feed your nervous system. Jadwar is not right for you right now.

Focus on above treatment protocol This is much easier, safer, and better for:

Getting through withdrawal + avoiding relapse + staying emotionally strong.

Getting better after antidepressants isn’t about cleaning out your body. It’s about helping your nervous system feel safe again. And that takes time and kindness.

Warm Regards Dr. Snehal Vidhate

HELLO,

For the last several years, your mind and nervous system have been under continuous strain- first due to emotional stress and illness, and later due to Long term use of antidepressants and sleep medications

These medicines helped you survive a difficult phase, but Long term use slowly weakens the body’s natural self-regulation, especially -Natural sleep rhythm -Emotional resilience -Stress handling capacity -Gut brain communication

Now as the medicines are being reduced, the body is trying to relearn how to function on its own. This relearning phase causes -Insomnia -Anxiety -Low mood or fear of relapse -Body sensations, restlessness, fatigue

This does not mean your illness is worsening. It means your nervous system is sensitive and healing.

According to Ayurveda, your condition involves four key disturbances

1) VATA DOSHA AGGRAVATION (primary cause) Vata controls -nervous system -sleep -thoughts -fear and anxiety Long term stress + psychiatric medicines + lack of deep sleep-> vata becomes unstable

SYMPTOMS OF AGGRAVATED VATA -insomnia -anxiety, fear -restlessness -withdrawal symptoms -racing thoughts

2) PITTA DOSHA INVOLVEMENT Pitta governs -emotional intensity -neurochemistry -irritability

In depression with insomnia -pitta causes mental heat, frustration, despair -sleep becomes shallow and broken

3) MANOVAHA SROTAS DUSHTI This means -thoughts don’t settle -emotionalfeel overwhelming -mind does not switch off at night

4) OJAS KSHAYA (loss of vital essence) Ojas is the subtle strength that gives calmness, immunity, and emotional stability Long illness+ medicines-> Ojas depletion, leading to -feeling fragile -low confidence -fear of relapse -poo sleep recovery

TREATMENT GOALS Ayurveda does NOT aim to -force detox -abruptly clean medicines -overstimulate the nervous system

Instead ,focuses on -stabilizes the nervous system -calmthee aggravated vata -restore natural sleep rhythm -rebuild inner strength -prevent relapse gently -support medicine withdrawal safely

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

A) CORE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND MIND SUPPORT

1) BRAHMI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals for 3 months =calms mind, improves emotional balance, reduces anxiety and mental fatigue, helps brain adapt after antidepressants

2) SHANKHAPUSHPI SYRUP= 1 tsp twice daily after meals for 3 months =nourishes brain cells, redcues fear and overthinking, improves sleep quality

3) JATAMANSI CAPSULES= 1 cap at night for 3 months =one of the best herbs for insomnia + depression, pacifies vata in the brain, prevents emotional crashes during withdrawal

B) OJAS AND RASAYANA SUPPORT

4) MAHAKALYANAK GHRITA= 1 tsp in morning for 4 months =deep nourishment of nervous tissue, restores confidence and calmness, excellent in chronic depression

C) DIGESTIVE AND LIVER SUPPORT

5) GUDUCHI GHAN VATI= 2 tabs In morning =support detox naturally, prevents inflammation, strengthens recovery

EXTERNAL THERAPIES

1) OIL MASSAGE= KSHEERBALA TAILA -Areas= feet, head, spine, daily =ground vata, improves sleep, reduces axneity

2) HEAD MASSAGE -deep calming of mind -excellent durin withdrawal phase

YOGA ASANAS -shavasana -balasana -viparita karani -gentle stretching only

PRANAYAM -nadi sodhana -bhramari

AVOID -intense breathing -forceful kapalbhati -long meditation initially

DIET -warm, soft, freshly coked meals -rice, oats, khichdi -ghee very important for brain -warm milk at night -stewed fruits

AVOID -coffee, alcohol -cold foods -dry snacks -fasting -late night eating

HOME REMEDIES -warm milk + pinch of nutmeg at night -foot massage with oil before sleep -sipping warm water through day -sitting in sunlight every morning

ABOUT JADWAR (Delphinium denudatum) Not recommended in your condition because -strong and sharp herb -narrow safety margin -can worsen nervous instability -risky during antidepressant tapering Safer alternatives already mentioned are far superior for your case

-Healing of nervous system is slow but real -Ayurveda works by restoring balance, not suppressing symptoms -Your recovery is possible and sustainable

Be patient with your body. It is learning to trust itself agaiin

DO FOLLOW

HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

Since you describe your current depression as Severe, the tapering period is the most critical phase. If you feel suicidal or spiraling, contact your psychiatrist immediately to pause the taper. Do not rush the “Detox” at the cost of stability.

1. Detoxification (Clearing the Residue) Psychiatric medications are lipophilic (fat-soluble) and store deep in the tissues. We need lipid-based cleansing.
Maha Kalyanaka Ghrita: Dosage: 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach early morning with warm water. This is the specific Ayurvedic antidote. It crosses the blood-brain barrier to cleanse the neuro-receptors and repair cognitive function.
Hydration: Drink 2 liters of water boiled with Coriander seeds daily to flush the kidneys.

2. Relapse Prevention (Brain Nutrition) To prevent the rebound effect (insomnia/anxiety returning), you must feed the brain what the drugs were simulating. -Brahmi Vati (with Gold/Suvarna - if affordable): It stimulates natural serotonin/dopamine production without the withdrawal crash. Dose: 1 tablet morning and night.

-Tagara (Valerian Root) Capsules: Take this only at night if you cannot sleep. It is a natural sedative to replace the sleeping pills during the transition.

3. Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum) Yes, it is highly effective, but use with caution. In Unani and Ayurveda (known as Nirvishi), Jadwar is the premier herb for De-addiction and Withdrawal Management. It protects the heart and brain from the shock of stopping drugs. It is excellent for lifting Severe depression.

Since you are in the final month (low dose), it is generally safe to introduce Jadwar in low doses. Protocol: Start Jadwar only under the guidance of an expert, as crude Delphinium can be toxic if not processed (Shodhit).
Recommendation: Look for the formulation Jawarish Jalinoos or pure Jadwar extract, but do not combine it with a full dose of sedatives. Take it in the morning to boost mood.

You must apply Brahmi Taila or Ksheerabala Oil to your head and feet every night. This physical weight on the body helps ground the anxiety (Vata) that spikes during withdrawal.

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma