2023-05-27 17:15:33
These symptoms are diagnostic of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome (ADS). People who want to stop antidepressants should gradually taper off their antidepressant medication to prevent health problems and reduce the risk of their depressive symptoms relapsing. Doctors can help people avoid ADS by decreasing, or increasing, the dose of their medicine over several weeks.
This article explores ADDS and the symptoms of abrupt withdrawal from psychotropic, or psychiatric, medications. It also tells you how to safely stop taking antidepressants and when to contact a doctor.
What happens when a person suddenly stops taking antidepressants?
The effectiveness and individual experience of antidepressant medications varies depending on the person and the type of antidepressant they are taking. Two examples of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
These drugs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that stabilizes feelings of well-being and happiness. They achieve this by blocking its reabsorption into nerve cells, or neurons. SNRIs also help maintain levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which is a hormone linked to energy and alertness.
When a person suddenly stops taking antidepressants, their circulating serotonin levels can change rapidly, which can lead to troubling symptoms. Some researchers believe that withdrawal symptoms can also occur as the body tries to restore its natural balance of serotonin.
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms
About 20% of people who suddenly stop taking antidepressants or drastically reduce their dosage experience a series of withdrawal symptoms. In most cases, a person must take an antidepressant for at least one month without interruption to develop ARD.
The symptoms that ADS can present depend on the type of antidepressant taken. It is important to distinguish them from those associated with addiction.
Symptoms associated with withdrawal from SSRIs and SNRIs may include the following:
– flu-like symptoms, such as headache, nausea, muscle aches and chills
– stomach cramps
– electric shock sensations in the head
– dizziness
– sensations of burning, tingling or electric shocks
– problems with involuntary movements, walking or balance
– excessive dreams, bizarre dreams or nightmares
– ringing in the ears, or tinnitus
– sensory problems, such as feeling something that is not actually present
– aggressiveness or irritability
– confusion
– transpiration
Some people experience symptoms similar to those of depression, such as:
– feelings of sadness
– excessive anxiety
– panic attacks
– periods of uncontrollable crying
– disturbed sleep, difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too long
– mood swings
– unexplained exhaustion
– feeling of being detached from reality or its environment
– mania, i.e. periods of having more energy than usual, needing less or no sleep, and acting erratically or reckless
– suicidal thoughts
– memory problems or difficulty concentrating.
Symptoms associated with withdrawal from tricyclic or related antidepressants may include:
– an irregular or faster heartbeat than usual
– flu-like symptoms
– low blood pressure
– agitation
– strange dreams
– inability to sleep, or insomnia
– problems with balance, walking or movement
– anxiety
Symptoms associated with withdrawal from monoamine oxidase inhibitors may include the following:
– difficulty thinking
– disturbed sleep
– extreme exhaustion or drowsiness
– hallucinations or psychotic experiences, such as paranoid delusions
– irritability or restlessness
– movement problems
– strange dreams
– instability
Withdrawal symptoms usually appear within 5 days of stopping an antidepressant and last up to 6 weeks. However, according to new research, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms for months or even years following they stop taking antidepressants.
When are we ready to quit?
When a person is ready to stop taking antidepressants depends on the decisions they make with their doctor. In general, a person can gradually reduce their antidepressant treatment as soon as their depressive symptoms disappear. The expected time frame depends on the mental health diagnosis or symptoms the person is suffering from.
For example, one can continue to take antidepressants for 4 to 9 months following the most severe phase of major depression. For many people, stopping antidepressants is a positive sign associated with recovery. However, some people may need to take longer-term antidepressants.
How to quit antidepressants safely?
In general, people should stop taking antidepressants gradually over a period of 4 weeks or more. However, tapering antidepressants gradually over 6 to 8 weeks or longer may further reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. How quickly a person can safely stop taking antidepressants depends on the type of antidepressant they are taking. The time to stop an antidepressant depends mainly on the half-life of the drug. This measurement is the time it takes for the body to metabolize half of the drug and excrete it.
Drugs with shorter half-lives may cause more withdrawal symptoms, so try to decrease them gradually.
Sources
Antidepressants: How can I compare different antidepressants? (2020).
Antidepressants: Stopping taking antidepressants. (2016).
Antidepressants: What withdrawal effects can antidepressants cause? (2020).
Gabriel, M., et al. (2017). Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
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