Discontinuing antidepressants

Your doctor may diagnose you with antidepressant discontinuation symptoms if: You suddenly develop symptoms days after stopping an antidepressant. Symptoms rapidly go away when you start taking the antidepressant again. Discontinuation symptoms.

Antidepressants help balance brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals affect your mood and emotions. An imbalance can cause major depression or anxiety disorders.

Typical symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome include flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance,. But others, depending on any number of reasons—like insurance coverage, unpleasant side effects, or personal preference—may decide to stop taking the drugs. Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal are sometimes called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and typically last for a few weeks. After taking these drugs for a prolonged period of time, you may choose to discontinue treatment for some reason. Learn how to safely and effectively stop taking your antidepressants with the help of your doctor.

While the syndrome may cause mild symptoms such as nervousness , agitation, tremor , diaphoresis , shivering , mydriasis , hyperreflexia and diarrhoea , in more severe cases tachycardia, hyperthermia , hypertension , myoclonus , muscular rigidity and delirium can occur. Drugs including antidepressants can also cause damage and leave a legacy afterward. Sexual dysfunction may persist after stopping treatment.

There are enduring eye problems.

You may have heard about this from a friend or on the news, or perhaps read a recent New York Times article on this topic. If you are taking an antidepressant, you may be concerned about your own response to stopping the medication. We’ll talk about when to talk with your doctor and how to taper these medications safely. A dramatic change of any kind can disrupt the equilibrium and have strong, negative effects. The negative impact of abruptly discontinuing antidepressant drugs is known as discontinuation syndrome and is the reason why it is imperative to work with a doctor to taper off medications instead of quitting out of nowhere.

It can be easy to mistake discontinuation syndrome, which is associated with stopping antidepressants , with a relapse of depression or even an illness. SSRI drugs include those like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. This means taking smaller and smaller doses. It may be possible to discontinue a medication more quickly if the dose was low to begin with.

Come up with a suitable tapering schedule with your doctor. Stay on the tapering schedule your doctor prescribes. Alert your doctor if you experience severe side effects. However, there appear to be few indications, particularly in guidelines and reviews.

Craving: This is a physical urge, where the body needs the drug or medicine to maintain a desired state or feeling. This article discusses antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) in a patient who experienced substantial distress after a rapid antidepressant taper in preparation for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). My goal is to raise awareness of ADS, promote early detection of the syndrome, and address proper prevention and management strategies. A doctor will be able to offer information and advice. You should always talk to your GP, prescriber or pharmacist if you are thinking of stopping your antidepressants.

Stopping antidepressants can also result in relapse or exacerbation of the psychiatric illness.

Relapse of depressive symptoms (including suicidal ideation and self-harm) and recurrence of panic attacks and severe anxiety can all occur with dose reduction and cessation.