Preventing a Wave in Antidepressant Withdrawal
If you're in the middle of psychiatric drug withdrawal, you’ve probably heard about “waves and windows.” Waves can feel overwhelming, like you've lost all progress. But there are things you can do to reduce their intensity and support your healing.
In this post, I share what helped me personally. What I learned through painful trial and error. Everyone’s journey is unique, so take what helps and leave what doesn’t. The bottom line: healing is happening, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
I’m now offering coaching sessions for those going through withdrawal. If you’d like someone to walk with you through this season, I would love to meet with you. My withdrawal was brutal. I know how dark it can get. I also know how real healing is. I’m now in a place of joy, health, and full life, and I want to support you on your way there.
👉 Go here to see my calendar and schedule a session
What Are Waves and Windows?
In withdrawal, a wave is a spike in mental, emotional, or physical symptoms. A window is a time when you feel more like yourself. These phases are natural parts of the healing process. They can vary in intensity and length, but both are signs that your nervous system is recalibrating.
If you’re in a wave right now, I know it feels like you're back at square one. But you’re not. It’s just your body doing the messy, hard work of healing.
How to Support Your Nervous System
Treat Your Nervous System Like a Baby
Your whole system is dysregulated... sleep, digestion, emotion regulation, everything. You're not “crazy”… you're healing. Your nervous system is relearning how to function without the drug. Give it gentleness and time.
Eat Simple, Nourishing Food
A healthy diet doesn’t have to be gourmet. I found that skipping meals made my symptoms worse. So even if it's just soup or a simple takeout option with protein and veggies, try to give your body something nutritious to work with.
Protect Your Sleep
Sleep might be a mess. That’s normal. But you can still support your body by dimming lights an hour before bed, getting off screens, and giving your body as many sleep cues as possible. Sleep will return.
Reduce Stress Where You Can
Withdrawal often makes real rest feel impossible. But even choosing one less stressful obligation or saying no to an event can help. Rest isn’t always about being still, it’s about reducing the load your nervous system has to carry.
Limit Overstimulating Input
Doomscrolling is understandable. We're desperate for reassurance. But it often increases anxiety. When you’re able, try to replace it with encouraging stories, audio books, or calming music. Find something that breathes hope into you.
What to Remember During a Wave
If you hit a wave despite your best efforts… that’s normal. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Waves don’t erase progress. They are part of the process. Just like a dishwasher has cycles, your body is going through healing cycles. Every wave is bringing you one step closer to a regulated nervous system.
Even well-loved, well-fed babies cry. Your body is doing its own version of that right now.
You’re Still Healing
It won’t always be like this. Your body will relearn how to regulate. You’ll sleep, laugh, function, and feel joy again. You’ll eat ice cream, enjoy sunsets, and do all the things that feel impossible right now.
Don’t give up, friend.
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