Intrusive thoughts

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Paxil (Paroxetine)Support

September 18, 2026

What do you do when the whole experience is overwhelming and the intrusive thoughts say just give up? It’s scary. This is a new development for me.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 25 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day
Ativan .25 at night

3 Replies

⭐

CatinaSep 18

Community AnchorEffexor

"What do you do when the whole experience is overwhelming and the intrusive thoughts say just give up? It’s scary. This is a new development for me." — @Masha

I've been there so many times Masha, but we must keep going. When the thought comes, immediately replace it by telling yourself that giving up is not an option. Remind yourself that things always won't be this way, it's only temporary. We become the words we say to ourselves. Writing down some positive affirmations and then reading them when things feel a bit overwhelming can really help train our brain to not give up. Doing some EFT Tapping can also help train our brain to feel safe as well as CBT. https://taper.community/thread/3c6f1a16-3d21-4077-9ed5-8267209ffca3 https://taper.community/thread/31d4a5cb-737e-4eec-8449-1894a8a9747c I hope this helps...at least a little. Hugs, Catina 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Christine MarySep 21

WelcomerLexapro · active

Oh this is such a challenging thing to deal with. I tend to sleep off really depressive rumination. Nor a fix but the best I can do when struggling with thoughts of death. Remind yourself this is not you but the process. Roller coaster ride unfortunately. It’s over when it’s over and it will be one day. Hang in there. Things WILL look different another day.

Lexapro — 1.2 — 8 — actively tapering | without clinician

anne noni mossSep 27

LighthousePaxil · holding

intrusive thoughts are the worst. I try to distract. and I come here to read what others are doing, especially success stories. keep coming back!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

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