Are There Benefits to Stopping Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed medications for major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, eating disorders such as bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar depression. 

If you are taking an antidepressant drug for a mental health history and considering stopping it, there are some of the potential benefits of discontinuing treatment, such as relief from antidepressant side effects. However, you should always consult your physician before you stop taking your antidepressant medication. 

Doctors warn that abruptly stopping treatment can cause your depression symptoms to come back. Also, suddenly stopping antidepressants can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals recommend gradually tapering the antidepressant dose (over a period of several weeks to months) to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, it’s important to talk to your mental health professional before stopping antidepressants. Continue reading to learn more about stopping antidepressants and the potential benefits you can expect.

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What Are The Benefits of Stopping Antidepressants?  

Potential Physical Health Improvements

Antidepressant medications can cause a wide range of side effects. The specific side effects and their severity vary from person to person. Most people taking antidepressants find that the side effects are less severe or disappear once their body adjusts to the medicine. 

However, some side effects can continue. When you stop taking antidepressants, one of the key benefits is relief from side effects. Common side effects of antidepressant medicines include:

• Anxiety

• Dizziness

• Weakness

• Tiredness

• Dry mouth

• Sleep problems (excessive drowsiness, insomnia, vivid dreams)

• Gastrointestinal issues (constipation, diarrhea)

• Sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, inability to orgasm, erectile dysfunction)

• Weight changes (weight gain or weight loss)

• Increased risk of self-harm (suicidal thoughts and behaviors)

Potential Mental Health Benefits 

Decreased Emotional Blunting

It is common for people to feel like their emotions are blunted or dulled while taking antidepressants. Many people report feeling emotions more fully or feeling more like themselves after they stop taking antidepressants. 

Mental Clarity  

Some people report positive changes in their thinking and cognitive abilities after stopping antidepressants. This can include improved memory, focus, and mental clarity. However, it is worth noting that taking antidepressants does not commonly affect cognitive abilities in most people. Therefore, stopping treatment may not result in any noticeable difference in thinking abilities.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Benefits

Discontinuing antidepressants can reduce the risk of weight gain, restore sexual function, and less emotional blunting. In some cases, this can improve relationships and overall quality of life and well-being.

Is It Worth Trying To Come Off Antidepressants?  

Reasons To Continue Antidepressant Treatment 

If your symptoms of depression are well controlled on antidepressant medication and you don’t have too many side effects, your mental health professional may recommend staying on the drug long-term, even indefinitely. This is to avoid the potential risk of relapse symptoms (return of depression or other mental health symptoms). It also avoids the potential risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon stopping treatment.

Reasons To Stop Taking Antidepressant Medications

You and your healthcare provider may decide on stopping antidepressant use if:

• The medicine is causing intolerable side effects.

• The antidepressant isn’t working even after taking it consistently for 6 to 8 weeks.

• You feel better, and your depression has been controlled for at least 4-6 months.

• You and your provider feel you can stay well after stopping medication.

• You want to try alternative treatments, for example, choosing to undergo psychotherapy instead of taking antidepressants.

• You can’t afford your antidepressant medication.

Benefits vs Withdrawal Risks

Antidepressant withdrawal effects are not life-threatening, but they can be uncomfortable. You should work with your healthcare provider to carefully consider the benefits versus risks of stopping antidepressants. Each person is unique, and the pros and cons should be carefully considered before making a decision.

Safely Transitioning Off Antidepressants

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome refers to a group of withdrawal symptoms that occur after stopping antidepressant medications. These symptoms occur because of changes in the levels of natural chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. 

Antidepressants work by raising the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. When you are on antidepressant medication for a long period of time, nerve cells in your brain get used to higher levels of these natural chemicals. Consequently, when you stop taking an antidepressant suddenly, it causes withdrawal symptoms as the body readjusts.

Common Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms

Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms can appear within days to weeks of taking the last dose of your medicine and may include:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite

• Excessive sweating, flushing, or heat intolerance

• Trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, nightmares

• Dizziness and lightheadedness

• Unsteady gait (sea legs), tremors, restless legs, poor coordination and balance

• Mood swings, such as irritability, agitation, anxiety, confusion, sadness, paranoia, hyperarousal

• Abnormal sensations (pain, numbness, ringing in the ears, light or sound sensitivity)

• Headaches

• Tiredness

• Brain zaps or brain shivers (electric shock-like sensations)

Severe withdrawal symptoms only occur in rare cases. In most people, withdrawal effects gradually improve as the body adjusts to the absence of the antidepressant drug.

Steps For A Gradual Tapering Process  

After taking antidepressants for an extended period of time, it's important to work with your doctor to taper off the medication, meaning slowly decreasing the dosage of antidepressants. This will help to reduce the side effects and discontinuation symptoms. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get off your antidepressant medicine:

1. Write down a list of your reasons for stopping antidepressants and discuss them with your mental health care provider.

2. Talk to your provider about your current dose. Dose decreases instead of stopping the medication altogether are an option in some cases. 

3. Discuss previous medication changes with your provider. Tell them how you felt on different medications. A switch to other medications may relieve side effects and allow you to continue treatment.

4. Understand the risks of stopping an antidepressant suddenly.

5. Create a plan with your healthcare provider to reduce the dose of the antidepressant slowly and taper safely.

6. Keep a mood calendar to track your mood and other symptoms after you stop taking antidepressants. Call your doctor if you notice any worsening symptoms.

7. Consider other treatments, such as psychotherapy, to help you manage your depression and negative thought patterns.

Importance of Medical Supervision and Support

It’s important to stop taking antidepressants under medical supervision to prevent severe discontinuation symptoms. Make a plan with your healthcare provider, including your decreased dosage plan, lifestyle changes, and psychotherapy. It’s also important to be aware of the risk of relapse and to seek care if depression returns.

The rate at which you need to decrease the dose of your antidepressant medication depends on various factors, such as:

• Type of antidepressant. SSRI cessation is more likely to cause withdrawal effects than other types of antidepressants, such as bupropion.

• Half-life. Certain antidepressants that have a shorter half-life are more likely to cause discontinuation symptoms and need to be tapered more slowly than drugs with a longer half-life.

• Dose. If you are on a high dose of antidepressant, your doctor will recommend a slow dose reduction over several weeks to months.

• Treatment duration. If you have been on an antidepressant for a long time, you will require a slow taper.

Withdrawal Vs. Relapse 

Withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms occur after stopping antidepressants. They can be very similar to relapse symptoms (return of depression). Here are the key differences between withdrawal vs relapse: 

How To Rewire Your Brain After Antidepressants  

Activities To Support Mental Well-Being

Here are some ways to help regulate your mood without antidepressant use:

• Physical Activity: Get regular exercise, including a mix of aerobic exercise and strength training, on most days of the week. 

• Relaxation: Practice deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, tai-chi, and other stress management techniques.

• Sleep: Ensure enough restful sleep of at least 7 hours each night.

• Nature: Spend time in nature.

• Hobbies: Engage in activities like music and art, which are natural mood boosters.

• Connections: Spend time with loved ones. Connect with friends online or in person.  

Psychotherapy Strategies For Neurological Adaptation

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a type of treatment for mental health issues that helps to resolve emotional problems and change negative thought patterns. There are many different types of psychotherapy available, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and exposure therapy. A meta-analysis and systematic review of studies have shown that talk therapy is an evidence-based method of managing depression and other mental health problems. If you are considering stopping antidepressants, psychotherapy can help keep depressive symptoms under control.  

Learn about the different types of therapy to support mental health.

What Drugs Are Considered Antidepressants?

There are several groups of medicines used to treat depression symptoms. Prescribed antidepressants may include one of the following:

FAQ on Antidepressant Discontinuation

Will I Feel Better After Stopping Antidepressants?

If you have a lot of side effects on antidepressant medication, you will likely feel better after stopping it. However, it’s important to discontinue the antidepressant under medical supervision to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

How Do You Know When It's Time To Come Off Antidepressants?

It may be time to come off antidepressants if your symptoms are well controlled and you are on other treatments like psychotherapy that can help to manage your mental health condition.

How To Rewire Your Brain After Antidepressants?

The best way to rewire your brain after antidepressants is to lead a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and spending time with loved ones. You can also seek counseling and therapy.

Is Life Better After Antidepressants?

Life may be better after antidepressants if you have significant side effects on the medicines. However, it’s important to understand the risks of suddenly stopping antidepressants, which can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. You should also know that stopping an antidepressant medicine may cause a relapse (return of symptoms of depression).

What Is The Hardest Antidepressant To Come Off Of?

The hardest antidepressants to come off of are those with short half-lives. These drugs leave the body quickly and are more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms. Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Will I Lose Weight If I Stop Taking Lexapro?

You may lose weight if you stop taking Lexapro. Antidepressant medications, including Lexapro, can cause weight gain in some people. However, do not stop taking Lexapro without consulting your healthcare provider. Suddenly stopping antidepressant treatment can cause withdrawal syndrome with uncomfortable symptoms.

Does Emotional Blunting Go Away After Stopping Antidepressants?

Yes, one of the benefits of getting off antidepressants is that emotional blunting often goes away. Many people report feeling emotions more fully or feeling more like themselves after they stop taking antidepressants.