Are You Quitting Antidepressants? Learn Why Doctors Warn Against Rapid Withdrawal!

When it comes to managing mental health, antidepressants have been a lifeline for many Australians, offering a way to navigate the often turbulent waters of conditions like depression and anxiety. However, as with any medication, the journey doesn't end with the prescription; it also encompasses the process of safely discontinuing the drug when the time is right. This is where a growing concern has emerged, with researchers sounding the alarm about the risks of coming off antidepressants too quickly.

The issue at hand is not a small one. Australia has the second-highest use of antidepressants per capita among OECD countries, and the prescribing of these medications has been on the rise for decades. But the spotlight is now on the withdrawal process, which can be fraught with challenges, especially for those who have been on the medication for an extended period.


James Cook University (JCU) lifestyle medicine senior lecturer and doctor Sam Manger has highlighted a significant gap in the current approach to discontinuing antidepressants. The traditional method, which involves halving the dose over a week or two before stopping, is now considered too abrupt. Dr Manger warns that such a rapid reduction can trigger a slew of withdrawal effects that not only mimic the original mental health condition but can also include severe agitation, neurological symptoms, and cognitive impacts like brain fog.


1734923031777.png
Patients may be advised to stop antidepressants too quickly, risking significant withdrawal effects. Credit: djedzura / iStock


This is not just about discomfort; it's about safety and the quality of life for patients. Sometimes, individuals may mistake these withdrawal symptoms for a relapse of their mental health condition and prematurely resume medication, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


The good news is that new prescribing guidelines, as outlined in the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines book, advocate for a much slower tapering process. Dr. Manger, along with JCU head of psychiatry Carlo Longhitano, is incorporating these guidelines into the curriculum for medical students and postgraduate lifestyle medicine courses. The goal is to arm future doctors with the knowledge to safely deprescribe and minimise withdrawal side effects.

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines lead author, Mark Horowitz, who will also be involved in teaching JCU students, emphasises the importance of understanding when and how to stop antidepressants safely. He points out that distinguishing withdrawal symptoms from a return of the mental health condition is crucial to the process.

Australia, according to Dr. Horowitz, is lagging behind countries like the UK, where deprescribing has become a national priority. In the UK, clinics have been established to support individuals in safely discontinuing antidepressant use, and liquid forms of the medication are often prescribed to allow for smaller, more precise reductions in dosage.


The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has endorsed the Maudsley guidelines, recognising the need for a more cautious approach to withdrawal. Cathy Andronis, RACGP psychological medicine chair, acknowledges that the severity of withdrawal effects has been underestimated and that the new guidelines are a game-changer for doctors.

For those considering coming off antidepressants, the message is clear: it's a process that requires careful planning and support. Patients are encouraged to speak with their GPs about the new guidelines and to approach withdrawal with the understanding that slower is often safer.

As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to stay informed about these developments in healthcare. Suppose you or someone you know is contemplating stopping antidepressant medication. In that case, it's crucial to do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional who is up-to-date with the latest practices.

Key Takeaways
  • Researchers are concerned that patients may be advised to come off antidepressants too rapidly, risking significant withdrawal effects.
  • Updated guidelines advocate for a slower tapering of antidepressant dosage to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and distinguish them from the return of the mental health condition.
  • Australia lags behind the UK by at least a decade in the practice of safely deprescribing antidepressants, with the UK placing a national priority on reducing inappropriate use.
  • The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has endorsed the new Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines to aid doctors in better managing the deprescription process, recognising the severity of potential withdrawal effects.
We invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on this topic. Have you or someone close to you faced challenges when coming off antidepressants? How did you navigate the process, and what advice would you give to others in a similar situation? Your insights could be invaluable to fellow readers who might be embarking on this journey.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
After being diagnosed with severe clinical depression decades ago, I was put on 300mg Efexor while in a private clinic in 2008. Previous to that, I’d been prescribed other antidepressants which only worked briefly.

I’ve managed to lower my dose myself to what is now 100mg. But it’s taken about 10 years of very slowly reducing my dose. My lowest dose was 75mg but the depression and anxiety symptoms were taking over again. I was hoping to reduce the dose to zero, but that’s not going to happen.

I’ve resigned myself to know I’ll need to be on Efexor for the rest of my life. But better that than the drastic effects of depression/anxiety. 😀
 
Many many yrs ago my Dr suggested a change of antidepressants, he told me the wash out time and when to start the new one. I cant remember the period but I did what he said. He got it so wrong. Well I ended up with side effects of both, my humour was over the top. When I closed my eyes I was hallucinating. I was laughing as I tried to sleep because i visualised a drawing where the river was upside down and I couldn’t get it to turn right. Called lifeline best go to ER, well I wasn’t treated too well, saw some shrinks who suggested I be taken upstairs I guess to lockup or stay with someone, I wasn’t violent just over the top with my humour.a friend allowed me to stay with her for quite some days. Quite funny now but not the best at the time as wasnt sure if I might do something very stupid and harm myself.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: DLHM
ERs aren’t the best places to be treated for depression. Two of my grandsons (in their teens at the time), at different times were taken to hospital for their suicide attempts.

The reaction from nursing staff was to roll their eyes up and say, “oh, not you again”. Most unhelpful and destructive.

What can a person do to get help when someone has sliced themselves to the bone or ready to kick the chair out from under themselves to hang from the neck?

Unfortunately medication, CBT, regular psychiatric visits and whatever else, doesn’t always help. 😢
 
ERs aren’t the best places to be treated for depression. Two of my grandsons (in their teens at the time), at different times were taken to hospital for their suicide attempts.

The reaction from nursing staff was to roll their eyes up and say, “oh, not you again”. Most unhelpful and destructive.

What can a person do to get help when someone has sliced themselves to the bone or ready to kick the chair out from under themselves to hang from the neck?

Unfortunately medication, CBT, regular psychiatric visits and whatever else, doesn’t always help.
ERs aren’t the best places to be treated for depression. Two of my grandsons (in their teens at the time), at different times were taken to hospital for their suicide attempts.

The reaction from nursing staff was to roll their eyes up and say, “oh, not you again”. Most unhelpful and destructive.

What can a person do to get help when someone has sliced themselves to the bone or ready to kick the chair out from under themselves to hang from the neck?

Unfortunately medication, CBT, regular psychiatric visits and whatever else, doesn’t always help. 😢
Well Lifeline thought because of my side effects of both drugs and my behaviour I should go in to ER and make sure I would be ok. I had been in a serious accident some mths prior, car written off, both doing 100kms, I thank God I survived. But there were times of suicidal thoughts. But there were other issues I wasn’t coping with as well. Dr apologised for his mistake of the wash out period.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×