Because SSRIs cause more serotonin to remain in circulation in the brain, the individual experiences less depressive symptoms. In fact, many people report feeling completely back to normal when taking these medications.
The return of depression or anxiety usually takes longer – typically weeks or months. Some antidepressants, like fluoxetine, take a lot longer to leave the body. So, with these, symptoms can start days or even weeks after stopping or reducing your dose.
If you stop taking an antidepressant because you're feeling better, your doctor may want to keep in touch to see how you're feeling once the med has left your system. It's possible that your symptoms might return when the antidepressant is no longer in your body. With Bezzy for Depression, you're never alone.
Those who took antidepressants in higher doses for a longer time have more intense symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms typically persist for up to three weeks. The symptoms gradually fade during this time. Most people who quit taking their antidepressants stop having symptoms after three weeks.
Antidepressants can cause unpleasant side effects. Signs and symptoms such as nausea, weight gain or sleep problems can be common initially. For many people, these improve within weeks of starting an antidepressant. In some cases, however, antidepressants cause side effects that don't go away.
When people stop taking antidepressants after a long period of use, just over half (56%) experience a relapse within a year, compared to 39% of those who stay on medication, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
High anxiety sensitivity and lower functioning increase this risk, but their predictive value for clinical practice is limited. Patients who have successfully responded to antidepressants have an increased risk for relapse when discontinuing the antidepressant.
Withdrawal symptoms may occur if someone stops antidepressants because of rapid changes to the chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters, and they include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
So do antidepressants work as a permanent cure for depression? No, they do not, and the reason for this lies in how they work. While they cause changes in brain chemistry, this effect is only temporary. When you stop taking the antidepressant, your brain chemistry will return to its previous state.
It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop. Some people with recurrent illness are advised to carry on taking medicine indefinitely.
Initial symptoms appear in some individuals within 1-3 days following an abrupt discontinuation of the medication. The symptoms typically last 1-3 weeks and will typically peak within the first week. Symptoms can be relieved within 24 hours by restarting the antidepressant medication.
Most clinical trials report remission rates of 22% to 40%,“ while effectiveness studies including representative samples of depressed patients closer to clinical practice report lower remission rates - around 11% to 30% .
Over 50% of individuals that have been treated for depression will relapse at least once in their life. However, there are ways to manage your symptoms and stop a potential relapse in its tracks.
When treatment is eventually stopped, there will be fewer receptors than before and a short-term deficiency of serotonin activity. The body will typically correct this, but there will be a period of adjustment until the system normalizes.
When experiencing withdrawal symptoms or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, increasing physical exercise or changing the diet to include more fresh food may help ease symptoms by making a person feel reinvigorated and less lethargic.
Some believe it is unlikely that antidepressants cause any permanent changes to brain chemistry in the long term. The evidence seems to indicate that these medications cause brain changes that only persist while the medication is being taken or in the weeks following withdrawal.
Negative experiences can also be due to side effects. Physical effects like dizziness, dry mouth, putting on weight, difficulties concentrating and sleep problems can be very difficult to cope with. But that applies just as much to emotional side effects: Some people miss the variety and intensity of their emotions.
A course of treatment usually lasts for at least 6 months after you start to feel better. Some people with recurrent depression may be advised to take them indefinitely.
If you experience anxiety
If you have a form of anxiety or phobia, an antidepressant could help you feel calmer and more able to deal with other problems. It could also help you feel more able to benefit from other anxiety treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Recovery is possible with appropriate treatment such as exposure therapy, attention training, and a range of anxiety management techniques that can help you manage your symptoms. You can learn the following strategies yourself (using books or taking courses, for example) or you can consult with a trained professional.
Though anxiety doesn't have a cure, there are many good options for treatment that can get your symptoms under control. Anxiety is most often treated with medications, therapy, or both. But natural remedies and lifestyle choices can be helpful for some people, too.