Many people take antidepressants to help manage depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. But what happens when someone decides to stop taking them?
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry sheds light on this question, showing that withdrawal symptoms—also known as discontinuation symptoms—can be more common than previously thought, though often less severe than earlier reports suggested.
The study was led by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Virginia. They reviewed 79 different studies, covering data from more than 21,000 patients, making it one of the most detailed reviews of its kind.
Their results show that about 15% (or one in six) people who stop taking antidepressants experience at least one withdrawal symptom. Around 3% of patients reported severe symptoms, which sometimes caused them to drop out of the study or restart their medication.
Common withdrawal symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, sleep problems, and irritability. While most people may only feel mild effects, a small number can have symptoms that feel intense or overwhelming.
Dr. Jonathan Henssler from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin said that while antidepressants can help many people, they can also come with side effects. “It’s crucial for doctors and patients to understand what might happen when stopping antidepressants,” he said. “Some patients will experience symptoms, and for a few, these can be quite severe.”
Antidepressants are widely used around the world, often along with psychotherapy. They can be life-changing for some people. But when someone decides to stop taking them—especially after feeling better—it needs to be done carefully and with medical guidance. Doctors should monitor and support patients during this process to help prevent or manage withdrawal symptoms.
Earlier studies had suggested that more than half of people might experience withdrawal symptoms, often describing them as severe. However, many of those studies were based on patient observations, which can be affected by expectations or other outside factors.
This new study used randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are considered more reliable. In RCTs, some participants received real medication while others were given a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients). This method helped separate actual withdrawal effects from symptoms possibly caused by people’s expectations—known as the “nocebo effect.”
Interestingly, about 17% of people in the placebo group also reported symptoms similar to withdrawal. This suggests that nearly half of all reported symptoms may not be directly caused by the medication itself but by general discomfort or negative expectations.
The study also found that certain antidepressants—such as paroxetine (Seroxat), imipramine (Tofranil), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)—were more likely to cause stronger withdrawal symptoms than others.
One surprising finding was that there was no clear difference between gradually stopping the medication (tapering) and stopping it suddenly. However, researchers advised caution with this result, as more research is needed to fully understand the best way to stop taking antidepressants. Earlier studies still suggest that tapering may reduce the risk of severe symptoms.
Experts agree that while these symptoms should not be ignored, the new data provides some relief: most people do not experience severe problems when stopping antidepressants.
Dr. Christopher Baethge from the University of Cologne emphasized that patients should always have accurate, science-based information and work with a doctor when stopping treatment. “Withdrawal symptoms are real and should be taken seriously,” he said, “but they are manageable with proper support.”
The takeaway? Stopping antidepressants is something that should be done with care and medical advice—not taken lightly or done alone.
Understanding the risks, even if small, helps patients make informed decisions and prepares them for what to expect. More research is still needed, especially to find the safest and most comfortable ways to stop these medications in the future.
If you care about health, please read studies that scientists find a core feature of depression and this metal in the brain strongly linked to depression.
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