Hi Rob,
I've been titrating off of Mirtazapine for the last three months. I started at 45 mg and now am at 7.5 & 15 mg on alternative nights. I had a few starts where I tapered down too quickly (following doctor's instructions).
My GP is very supportive and any regular taper. I've been going extremley slow partially due to the fact that the psychiatrist wanted me to cut the Cipralex by half (20mg - 10 mg). My GP thought that tapering two ADs at the same time was too much for my system.
Now I am stablized on the Cipralex, I have started the downward titration
of Mirtazapine. The drs. instruction was to beware of triggers, such as traveling, holidays, the cancer stuff, my 97 year old mother - and just hold at the current rate. If things got rough, go up one dose. I think my doc is a very thoughtful person and understands my struggles.
I have bipolar disorder, ME/CFIDS, anxiety disorder. These illnesses require several heavy-duty medications, which I have agreed to take. I wanted to stop Mirtazapine because of the side - effects. I've had a terrible weight gain which is attributed to the Mirtaz. If you've been reading alot on this drug you will know that weight gain is very common - it is actually classified as an appetite stimulate, it is used in anorexia with people and veternarian medicine. It was originally prescribed for a sleep disorder, I did'not know it was an antidepresant (not used as much in north america as in the UK)
Something that works well for me is to make one change at a time, for example a supplement. Take it for 3-4 weeks, make a chart on the computer and record your dose, time of day, date, goal in using the supplement (or exercise or whatever you want to change up) and any side effects. In 3-4 weeks, assess the situation and decide whether to continue, add something else or leave things as they are.
The other thing I've found helpful is to use a timer or clock to help regulate the amount of time on the computer. You can keep a running list of things you want to explore on the computer, but give yourself a limit.
This too can be recorded on a chart - it gives you a place to record how long you were online, what researched, if you go over your time, and why. I think that you will find emerging patterns and maybe able to get a handle on what you call internet addiction.
Remember that there are at least 20 difference antidepressants. Sometimes we have to type several to find the right one. CBT has proven to work well for many people, with or without ADs.
Again I wish you well, it can be very difficult to deal well with depression. Give yourself some room to look at all the possible things you've done to get through the situation. Please be gentle with yourself and patient.