Antidepressant Withdrawal

Antidepressant withdrawal--also known as discontinuation syndrome--occurs when a user of an antidepressant medication discontinues its use abruptly or gradually. Effects can range from mild to life-threatening and depend on a number of factors, including how long the medication was taken, daily dosage, the type of medication and personal physiology.

Mental Effects

• The mental and emotional effects of quitting antidepressants are among the most difficult aspects of withdrawal. They vary from person to person and can include everything from mild malaise to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Mental withdrawal symptoms occur as the brain becomes accustomed to lower levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which are responsible for mood, sleep patterns and other states of being. Even slow tapering can have dramatic effects on mood and behavior, with common side effects including nightmares, excessive crying, worsening anxiety, depression and irritability.

Physical Effects

• Because antidepressants act directly on the brain, it's easy to forget that they have effects on other parts of the body as well. Unfortunately, antidepressant withdrawal can cause unpleasant physical symptoms ranging from muscle pain and weakness to dangerous anti-cholinergic symptoms like rapid heart beat and arrhythmia. Common physical side effects of antidepressant withdrawal include nausea, diarrhea, headache, restless legs, and weight loss or gain.

Health and Safety Risks

• In some cases, quitting antidepressants can cause dangerous mental and physical effects. According to ProzacTruth.com, the risk of suicidal or violent behavior increases for some people when starting or stopping antidepressant medications and requires no previous history of such behavior to occur. Patients may experience a worsening of the symptoms for which the medication was originally prescribed, such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Those attempting to quit tricyclic and MAOI antidepressants may experience a condition known as cholinergic rebound that can be harmful or fatal if not caught early.

Tips and Advice

• Before taking the plunge into a life without antidepressants, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of quitting. Understand that withdrawal can last for up to six months or longer depending on a variety of factors, and that it could be an unpleasant process.

  Once you've decided that you're ready to quit, consult your prescribing physician or psychiatrist about how to do so safely. Avoid unnecessary stress during the withdrawal period, and set aside time for relaxing activities each day. Counseling and use of a journal can help sort out re-emerging emotions. Remind yourself that this is not your normal state of being, but a withdrawal reaction that will pass. Inform others of your situation beforehand so they can monitor your condition and offer support.

Warning

• Quitting antidepressants can result in dangerous mental and physical reactions if done improperly. Consult a trained medical professional before attempting to quit antidepressants, and seek help immediately if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.