Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: Prevalence, Impact, and Management

Duration can range from a few days to several weeks or even months
Proper tapering off medications under medical supervision can help minimize risk and severity
Risk factors include length of antidepressant use, dosage and specific types of antidepressants
Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, headaches and flu-like symptoms
Up to 15% to 30% of people may experience antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS)
Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: Prevalence, Impact, and Management

Title: The Prevalence and Impact of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: A Comprehensive Review

Lead: Antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS) have been a topic of debate for decades, with some arguing that they do not exist at all. However, recent studies suggest that up to one in six people may experience symptoms when stopping antidepressants. In this article, we will explore the prevalence and impact of ADS based on the latest research.

Paragraph 1: Background and Prevalence Antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS) are a group of physical and psychological symptoms that can occur when a person stops taking antidepressants after prolonged use. The exact prevalence of ADS is not well-established, but some studies suggest that up to 15% to 30% of people may experience symptoms when discontinuing these medications.

Paragraph 2: Symptoms and Duration The symptoms of ADS can vary widely from person to person. They may include anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. The duration of these symptoms can range from a few days to several weeks or even months.

Paragraph 3: Risk Factors and Management Several factors may increase the risk of developing ADS, including the length of antidepressant use, dosage, and specific types of antidepressants. Proper tapering off these medications under medical supervision can help minimize the risk and severity of symptoms.

Paragraph 4: Controversy and Future Directions Despite growing evidence supporting the existence of ADS, some controversy remains regarding their prevalence and impact. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and effective management strategies for these symptoms.

Sources:

  1. Henssler JM, et al. Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry 2024;1(6):537-546.
  2. Roxby P. Antidepressant withdrawal affects one in six people, says study. BBC News 2024-06-06.
  3. Davydov A. Does coming off antidepressants really cause withdrawal symptoms? New Scientist 2024-06-06.

Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Antidepressant withdrawal affects one in six people

BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ Philippa Roxby Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:30
  • Unique Points
    • One out of every six or seven people can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants
    • Most people stop antidepressants successfully
    • ADS lasts for one to two weeks
  • Accuracy
    • Approximately 15% of adults who discontinued antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms.
    • One in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    No overt logical fallacies found in the article. However, there is a slight misrepresentation of statistics which could be considered an informal fallacy. The author states that previous estimates suggested antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS) affected 56% of patients, but the new review estimates one out of every six or seven patients can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants. This discrepancy may create confusion for readers as it implies a significant change in the prevalence of ADS. The actual change in prevalence is not as drastic, going from 56% to roughly 16%.
    • Previous estimates suggested antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS) affected 56% of patients...
    • ...the new review estimates one out of every six or seven patients can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants...
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Study finds the rate of withdrawal from quitting antidepressants

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Kristen Rogers Wednesday, 05 June 2024 22:30
  • Unique Points
    • The first publication of a larger project on antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.
    • Science does correct itself.
  • Accuracy
    • Approximately 15% of adults who discontinued antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms.
    • One out of every six or seven people can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants
    • One in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication.
    • One in three people who stop taking antidepressants experience mental and physical symptoms.
  • Deception (90%)
    The article provides a clear and accurate summary of a scientific study on the rate of withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants. The author does not editorialize or make unsupported claims. However, there is an instance of omission by not disclosing that one of the authors of the study had a conflict of interest as they work for Charité University Medicine in Berlin which receives funding from pharmaceutical companies. This could be considered deceptive by omission.
    • Editor's note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit the 988 Lifeline website. If you live in the United Kingdom, call 111.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

One in six people who stop antidepressants will experience discontinuation symptoms as a direct result, says study

MedicalXpress Science X Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:34
  • Unique Points
    • Approximately 3% of patients stopping antidepressants may experience severe discontinuation symptoms.
    • Stopping certain antidepressants like imipramine, paroxetine and (des-)venlafaxine may be associated with a higher risk of severe symptoms.
  • Accuracy
    • One in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Does coming off antidepressants really cause withdrawal symptoms?

New Scientist Magazine Clare Wilson Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:35
  • Unique Points
    • Some doctors previously doubted that antidepressant withdrawal symptoms exist at all.
    • A study found that withdrawal symptoms occur in up to 1 in 3 people who discontinue antidepressants.
  • Accuracy
    • One in three people who stop taking antidepressants experience mental and physical symptoms.
    • One out of every six or seven people can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants
    • Approximately 15% of adults who discontinued antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms.
    • One in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an informal fallacy by generalizing the results of a review of 79 studies to make a claim about antidepressants causing withdrawal symptoms in 1 in 3 people. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when referring to antidepressants as 'one of the most contentious issues' and 'among the most controversial', without providing evidence for these claims.
    • A review of 79 studies suggests that 1 in 3 people who stop taking antidepressants get mental and physical symptoms, but what does that actually mean when these can also occur when you discontinue a placebo?
    • Antidepressants are one of the most commonly taken medications in high-income countries – and are among the most controversial.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The Lancet Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:36
  • Unique Points
    • The incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms is an important topic in clinical practice.
    • A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms in patients discontinuing both antidepressants and placebo.
    • Studies selected were randomised controlled trials, other controlled trials, and observational studies investigating cessation or tapering of an established antidepressant drug or placebo in participants with mental, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental disorders.
    • The main outcome was the incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms after discontinuation of antidepressants or placebo. Severe discontinuation symptoms were also analyzed.
    • From 6095 articles screened, 79 studies covering 21002 patients were selected, with a majority being female and the mean age being 45 years.
    • 16532 patients discontinued from an antidepressant and 4470 patients discontinued from placebo.
    • The incidence of at least one antidepressant discontinuation symptom was 0.31 (95% CI 0.27-0.35) in the selected studies.
  • Accuracy
    • The incidence of at least one antidepressant discontinuation symptom was 0.31 (95% CI 0.27-0.35) in the selected studies.
    • One out of every six or seven people can expect symptoms when stopping antidepressants
    • Approximately 15% of adults who discontinued antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms.
    • One in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication