Breaking free: Navigating antidepressant withdrawal

Abstract

Antidepressant prescribing has increased substantially over the past few decades across all ages, as has the number of patients on these medications longterm [1-4]. This has raised valid concerns regarding polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate use of antidepressants in the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis [5,6]. In an effort to rationalise medication regimens, mitigate risks of polypharmacy, or for several other valid reasons — such as a previously useful drug no longer being needed — the decision may be made to discontinue the antidepressant. So, what happens when antidepressants are stopped?