Psychology
Antidepressants: what they do, side effects and stopping safely
What antidepressants treat, how long they take, common side effects, whether they are addictive, and why you should never stop them suddenly.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome
Also known as Antidepressant withdrawal, SSRI withdrawal, Brain zaps, Discontinuation symptoms
Unpleasant symptoms — dizziness, "brain zaps", flu-like feelings, anxiety, poor sleep — that can follow stopping or cutting down an antidepressant too quickly. Reducing gradually with a doctor lowers the risk.
In Psychology
When an antidepressant is stopped suddenly or reduced too fast, the brain needs time to readjust, and withdrawal symptoms are common. They usually begin within a few days and last a few weeks. For some people they are severe, start later or last months — more likely after long use or higher doses.
Common symptoms
- Dizziness, unsteadiness or feeling spaced out
- Electric-shock sensations in the head or limbs ("brain zaps")
- Flu-like aches, sweating, nausea and headache
- Anxiety, irritability, tearfulness or low mood
- Poor sleep, vivid dreams and
Because some symptoms resemble or , withdrawal is easily mistaken for relapse. Clues are sensations you never had before, such as zaps, and quick improvement if the medicine is restarted.
Where this comes up
Related terms
- SSRISelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, used for depression and many anxiety conditions. Examples are sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, citalopram and paroxetine.
- SNRISerotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitorSerotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor: a type of antidepressant acting on two chemical messengers. Venlafaxine and duloxetine are the main examples, used for depression, anxiety and some long-term pain.
- WithdrawalWithdrawal symptoms, Withdrawal syndromeThe physical and mental symptoms that appear when someone stops or cuts down a substance the body has become used to. Alcohol and sedative withdrawal can be dangerous.
- DepressionClinical depression, Major depressive disorderA medical condition in which low mood or loss of interest lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and affects sleep, energy and daily life.