a couple of questions

June 29, 2026··

Posted in:Finding Meaning Lexapro (Escitalopram)Symptoms & Self-Care

Hello! I'm still researching about tapering and I have a couple of questions for this community. 1. Has anyone done EMDR while tapering? Is that a possible helpful therapy for anxiety while tapering? Everything I've read about therapy talks about CBT, so I was wondering about other methods. 2. If withdrawal side effects are so difficult, do you also feel better at some point with tapering? If tapering can take months-to-years, how do you keep at it if the withdrawal is so challenging? (I'm asking because I want to feel better by tapering off this med, but I want the hard work to be worth it.) Thank you, in advance, for any help others can provide. I'm very grateful for the expertise already shared here!

6 Replies

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CatinaStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Klou! Great questions. 1) I have personally never tried EMDR while tapering. I did find a topic thread about it on Surviving Antidepressants, which I will link. It can be a very intense process and is usually done for people who have traumatic memories. Some people think it may not be a good thing to undertake during withdrawal when your nervous system is so sensitive: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/14238-emdr-has-anyone-tried-this-eye-movement-desensitization-reprocessing-therapy/#comment-276059 2) They key with tapering is to go at a pace where you are still able to function in your daily life. Some people do in fact feel better overall when they have less of the drug in their system, especially if that drug has been causing negative side effects. I think any hard 'work' is totally worth it in the end. My good friend says "every drop is a win!" and there is so much truth to that. Always remember the reasons why you want to become drug-free and keep that goal in mind as you make the journey off to a much better life! Everyone's journey is unique to them, so listen closely to your body and adjust your taper accordingly. You've got this, and it's nice to see you taking such a thoughtful approach! ❤️

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

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CatinaStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Klou1mo ago

LighthouseLexapro

@Catina Thank you for sharing these resources. I will chip away at reading them. I appreciate your positive encouragement. I suspect that my medication is actually causing anxiety, so I am looking forward to getting off of it. But I know I need to have patience with the process. I will be an anxiety expert when all is said and done. Lol.

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CatinaStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

You're welcome! I hope the links help. If your medication is causing your anxiety, then reducing it should bring relief, although you might have some withdrawal symptoms along the way. It's hard to be patient. I've been at this a very long time, so I've had lots of practice with being patient! Even though it can be a difficult journey at times, we certainly learn a lot! And then we in turn can use that knowledge to help others. 💜

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Based PsychiatristStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

The symptoms usually go in waves of feeling bad, and then window of feeling good. It can be disheartening when you look at the long timeline, but the best way to chop up a stump is to chip away at the edges :) Well be here for you the whole way !

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"the best way to chop up a stump is to chip away at the edges :)" — @Based Psychiatrist

I like that illustration! That's a good one.

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