Longer antidepressant use linked to more severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, study finds

Longer antidepressant use linked to more severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, study finds

A new study finds that the longer people take antidepressants, the more likely they are to face severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms—raising questions about current prescribing practices and the support available for those trying to stop the medication.

psypost.org

TL;DR

A new Psychiatry Research study surveyed 310 long-term antidepressant users in the U.K. and found that the longer you pop those pills, the nastier—and stickier—the withdrawal. Less than six months of use saw mostly mild, short-lived symptoms (64% experienced some discomfort, only 7% severe). But after two years, a whopping 96% felt withdrawal, 25% had severe reactions, over 30% suffered for more than three months, and 79% couldn’t quit despite trying.

Turns out most folks taper way too fast (or quit cold turkey), making matters worse. The paper argues for “hyperbolic tapering” (tiny, slowing dose cuts) and updated guidelines so patients aren’t blindsided by anxiety, “brain zaps,” dizziness and more. Bottom line: use antidepressants only as long as you need them—and plan your exit ramp from day one.