There may be both physical and mental health benefits of stopping antidepressants. However, you should never do this without consulting a healthcare professional.

Taking antidepressants can help with symptoms of depression. Doctors may recommend stopping antidepressants after recovering from depression. Stopping antidepressants may also be necessary for individuals experiencing adverse side effects.

Antidepressants can improve sleep, appetite, and mood. According to some sources, they typically begin working within 4 to 8 weeks. Doctors recommend taking an antidepressant for at least 6-12 months, but some people continue antidepressant therapy for a longer period.

Longer use of antidepressants may increase the risk of certain side effects. They can also lose their effectiveness over time. Stopping antidepressants due to side effects can benefit some people. However, a mental health or healthcare professional will evaluate this on an individual basis.

This article will explore the benefits of stopping antidepressants. Read on to learn about when to stop antidepressants, what to expect, and more.

Stopping antidepressants suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and other adverse effects. Individuals should always consult with a healthcare professional before stopping medications such as antidepressants.

Learn more about these effects here.

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Sometimes, antidepressants can increaseTrusted Source feelings of tiredness or lightheadedness. They can also make it more difficult to think clearly.

These side effects can have adversely affect mental health. For individuals experiencing this, stopping antidepressants can help restore energy levels and clearer thinking. This may help improve mental health for certain individuals.

Antidepressants can cause a variety of physical side effects. According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, these may include:

Stopping antidepressants can help end these side effects. This can increase physical well-being and comfort for some.

Weight gain is a common side effect of antidepressants. These medications can also increase feelings of fatigue, which can make it more difficult to take part in a regular exercise routine. A lack of physical activity can lead to additional weight gain.

Long-term use of antidepressants may increase weight gain. Stopping antidepressants may help reduce this risk and make it easier for some people to maintain a moderate weight.

However, it is important to remember that weight loss does not always signify good health. It can also be a sign that a person’s depression has returned.

Antidepressants can adversely affect changes in sensation. According to a 2018 case report, everyone who take a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) experienced changes in sexual function. These changes can begin within 30 minutes of first taking this medication.

According to this article, taking an antidepressant can make it harder to have an orgasm. It can also reduce libido for people of all genders. Stopping antidepressants may help restore sexual function.

Longer use of antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects. Long-term use may also decrease the effectiveness of these medications. Taking antidepressants for an extended period can make it harder to taper off. To taper off means slowly decreasing the amount of antidepressants a person takes to reduce the likelihood of side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Stopping antidepressants can decrease the adverse effects of long-term use. It can also make the process of tapering off these medications easier.

Individuals who stop antidepressants can also exploreTrusted Source other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps people challenge adverse thought patterns. This can help them identify the root cause of depression and reduce the risk of a relapse. Individuals can discuss other treatment options with a healthcare or mental health professional.

Learn more about therapy for depression.

Stopping antidepressants can lead to a range of side effects. These may include:

Usually, these side effects resolve within a couple of weeks. Tapering off an antidepressant can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Anyone planning to discontinue an antidepressant should speak with a doctor. Certain antidepressants can cause more severe withdrawal symptoms than others. It is important to have medical supervision when stopping these medications.

Stopping antidepressants may not be the right choice for everyone. Individuals who have a history of depression relapsing might need to take them longer.

Also, some people may need to continue taking antidepressants even after depression symptoms improve. Continuing on these medications for 6 months after symptoms improve can help reduce the chance of relapsing.

There is no single timeline to stop taking antidepressants. Stopping these medications depends on the individual and the type of medication. To learn more about when not to stop taking antidepressants, consult with a healthcare or mental health professional.

According to the NHS, side effects typically appear within 5 days of stopping an antidepressant. These side effects often resolve on their own over time.

Suddenly stopping an antidepressant can lead to serious side effects. Gradually tapering the dose over time can help manage these side effects. If an individual experiences severe side effects, they may need to taper off their medication more slowly.

Anyone experiencing side effects after stopping antidepressants should share their concerns with a healthcare professional. They can recommend techniques to manage these side effects specific to each individual.

Individuals interested in stopping antidepressants should speak with a healthcare professional to learn more. A healthcare professional can recommend a safe timeline for tapering off these medications.

After beginning to taper off an antidepressant, anyone who notices new or worsening side effects should also speak with a doctor. Usually, these side effects are not serious and resolve over time. However, only a healthcare professional can determine the severity of side effects and recommend treatment options.

The following are some questions people frequently ask about stopping antidepressants.

How long does it take for your brain to go back to normal after antidepressants?

The amount of time it takes for a person to feel more like they used to after stopping antidepressants varies widely. Most people recover from withdrawal symptoms after a few weeksTrusted Source. However, it may take some people months or years to feel how they used to.

How does it feel to come off antidepressants?

Some people do not experience any side effects when coming off antidepressants. Others may experience nausea, sleeplessness, anxiety, or even flu-like symptoms. Tapering off an antidepressant can help reduce these and other symptoms.

Antidepressants can help individuals with depression manage their symptoms. Healthcare professionals usually recommend taking these medications for at least a year. Taking antidepressants for longer can increase the risk of side effects and may reduce their effectiveness. Side effects are typically mild and go away on their own.
However, stopping antidepressants may lead to improved mental clarity, weight loss, and restored sexual function.

Anyone interested in learning more about stopping antidepressants should speak with a healthcare or mental health professional. Individuals should never stop taking a medication such as antidepressants without the supervision of a healthcare professional.