SSRI Dependency & Withdrawal: What Patients Need to Know Before Starting or Stopping

SSRI Dependency & Withdrawal: What Patients Need to Know Before Starting or Stopping

The industry understands that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are highly effective for depression and anxiety, but they are not “dependency-free” as once believed. Up to 56% of long-term users experience withdrawal symptoms when reducing or discontinuing SSRIs — even after slow tapering — including dizziness, brain zaps, irritability, and rebound depression (Davies & Read, 2019; Fava et al., 2015).

These symptoms, collectively termed Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADS), can begin within days and last weeks to months.

In some cases, severe or protracted withdrawal (lasting over a year) is reported in peer-reviewed literature) (Davies & Read, 2019). Hence, risk factors include longer duration of use (>1 year), higher doses, and shorter half-life drugs like paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft). Fluoxetine (Prozac) tends to have milder withdrawal due to its long half-life (Hengartner et al., 2020).

At PCP Health, our functional psychiatry team specializes in safe SSRI deprescribing using hyperbolic tapering schedules, nutritional support (omega-3s, magnesium, B-vitamins), hormone optimization, and adjunctive therapies proven to reduce withdrawal severity (Fava et al., 2015; Hengartner et al., 2020).

Please Never stop SSRIs abruptly — this dramatically increases withdrawal risk and can trigger suicidal ideation. Personalized, medically supervised tapering is essential.If you’re concerned about becoming dependent on Zoloft, Lexapro, or any antidepressant — or you’re already struggling with withdrawal — we can help. Book a consultation today at www.PCP-health.com and discover a safer path to mental wellness without lifelong medication.

References

Davies, J., & Read, J. (2019). A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based? Addictive Behaviors, 97, 111–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027  Fava, G. A., Gatti, A., Belaise, C., Guidi, J., & Offidani, E. (2015). Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(2), 72–81. https://doi.org/10.1159/000370338  Hengartner, M. P., Davies, J., & Read, J. (2020). Antidepressant withdrawal — the tide is finally turning. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29, e52. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796019000465