Maybe you’re having side effects.
Or maybe your condition has improved, and you no longer need medication.
To be in a position where you feel ready to come off antidepressants is a good thing.
Verywell / Alison Czinkota
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy.
Antidepressants can be notoriously difficult to quit because stopping can produce withdrawal-like symptoms called “discontinuation syndrome.”
Discontinuation symptoms are typically mild and short-lived.
However, some people’s symptoms can be severe enough to impact their daily lives.
Some estimates suggest that at least one in five people who stop taking an antidepressant abruptly experience these symptoms.
Discontinuation symptoms can be grouped into six categories:
The severity of these symptoms can vary significantly.
For adults with depression who have achieved remission, the American Psychological Association recommends psychotherapy to help prevent relapse.
Timing can help you tell the difference between the two.
If depression or anxiety recurs after stopping an antidepressant, it is often a gradual process that slowlyworsensover time.
In contrast, symptoms related toantidepressant withdrawaltend to occur quickly (days rather than weeks) and slowlyimproveover time.
If you experience a return of mood symptoms that are worsening, talk to your doctor right way.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Specifically, the American Psychiatric Association recommends tapering antidepressants over the course of “at least several weeks.”
In general, drugs with short half-lives require a longer tapering period compared with drugs with long half-lives.
What If I Have Symptoms While Tapering?
Remember that everyone is different when it comes toweaning offantidepressants.
Others may have bothersome symptoms and require that the drug be tapered over a period of months.
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