Reexamination of past research reveals that a smaller percentage of individuals—one in six—have symptoms when they stop using antidepressants.

As reported by the BBC, the researchers hope that their findings would help doctors and patients make informed decisions “without causing undue alarm”.
The Lancet Psychiatry review included data from 79 trials with over 20,000 participants.

While some individuals received antidepressant treatment, others received a placebo or dummy medication. This made it easier for researchers to gauge the real impact of drug abstinence.
Some people have unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia, when they stop taking antidepressants. This can cause a great deal of distress, according to the experts.

At least 56% of patients have been affected by the antidepressant discontinuation symptoms (ADS), as per the suggestion of the previous estimates. Among these, almost half of the cases were classed as severe.

Rather than stopping it suddenly or missing doses leading to withdrawal symptoms, official health guidance is to reduce the dose of antidepressant medication in stages over time.

One in Six Affect by Antidepressant Withdrawal

Moreover, the guidance added that most people stop antidepressants successfully, however, other research suggests that ADS lasts for one to two weeks.

At the University of Cologne, study author Prof Christopher Baethge, from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy said that the findings were “quite robust”. However, the review’s lower estimate of ADS “did not mean it’s all in their heads”.