What is the research?

New research reveals SEVERE withdrawal symptoms in over 50% of those who stop using antidepressant drugs. Some even include permanent damage.

The Journal of Addictive behavior conducted a study and reviewed the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal after discontinuing the drugs. It revealed that antidepressants are far more addictive and harmful than have been previously asserted.
(Read full article here)

Here is what was found regarding withdrawal effects from Antidepressants:

1. More than half (56%) of people who attempt to come off antidepressants experience withdrawal effects.
2. 46% of people encountering withdrawal describe the effects as severe.
3. Withdrawal effects can last for several weeks or months.
4. Current guidelines in the U.S. and U.K. underestimate how severe and how long this withdrawal occurs.
   New research reveals severe withdrawal symptoms in over half of those who discontinue antidepressant drugs, including lasting and even permanent damage.

This study was trying to figure out the veracity of the U.K.’s current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the American Psychiatric Association’s depression guidelines which state that withdrawal reactions from antidepressants are ‘self-limiting’ (i.e. typically resolving between 1 and 2 weeks).

23 studies were reviewed with diverse methodologies and sample sizes to see about withdrawal symptoms.

They found that side effects were wide-ranging, lasting several months or longer (including permanent dysfunction), such as:

1. Increased anxiety
2. Flu-like symptoms
3. Insomnia
4. Nausea
5. Imbalance
6. Sensory disturbances
7. Hyperarousal
8. Dizziness
9. Electric shock-like sensations or “brain zaps”
10. Diarrhoea
11. Headaches
12. Muscle spasms and tremors
13. Agitation
14. Hallucinations
15. Confusion
16. Malaise
17. Sweating
18. Irritability

These are the most common symptoms but they also found that there can be mania and hypomania, inability to cry and general emotional numbness.

After another study found similar results they recommended that the U.K. and U.S. be updated to show such results because they feel it leads to misdiagnosing of withdrawal and leading to longer antidepressant use and higher rates of prescriptions written for antidepressants. They also wanted prescribers to tell patients about such withdrawal effects.

The researchers also noted that the rising numbers of antidepressant prescriptions used throughout the world may be fueled by the antidepressant drug withdrawal side effects themselves:

“As the lengthening duration of Antidepressants use has fueled rising rates of such prescriptions over the same time period, we must understand the drivers of such lengthening use. The evidence set out suggests that lengthening use may be partly rooted in the underestimation of the incidence, severity and duration of AD withdrawal reactions, leading to many withdrawal reactions being misdiagnosed, for example, as relapse (with drugs being reinstated as a consequence) or as failure to respond to treatment (with either new drugs being tried and/or dosages increased). This issue is pressing as long-term AD use is associated with increased severe side-effects, increased risk of weight gain, the impairment of patients’ autonomy and resilience (increasing their dependence on medical help), worsening outcomes for some patients, greater relapse rates, increased mortality and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia.”

The concerning implications of this study to millions around the world who are on antidepressants were immediately recognized by the media, as evidenced by mainstream reporting on the topic with the following headlines:

BBC News: Antidepressant withdrawal ‘hits millions’:
US Pharmacist: Antidepressant can cause serious symptoms in long term users
The Times: Painful price of coming off drugs for depression
Independent: Antidepressants cause withdrawal symptoms in over half of patients who try to quit them, review shows

Thanks to a small but courageous group of professionals who have been raising awareness of the profound, unintended adverse effects of psychiatric drugs and the abject absence of objective criteria for determining “mental disease,” not only are there already resources available to the public today to better understand the dangers of psychiatric drugs, but there are also programs and protocols in place to help those who are on them to come off of them safely and with the support of others who have done the same already. For instance, the program put together by Dr. Kelly Brogan — Vital Mind Reset — has produced powerful outcomes. Take a look at the testimony wall here to learn from the first hand experiences of those who underwent the program and came out drug-free, often with their psychiatric symptoms and comorbid conditions reduced or completely put into remission.

This is a huge problem that many patients are not informed of. Make sure when you are taking any prescribed drug or treatment, that you are aware of what they do to your body. There are alternatives out there such as chiropractic, amino neuro frequency therapy, herbs, supplements and foods that can have wonderful effects on mood and well being.

References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460318308347