The Emotional Side of Antidepressant Withdrawal and Recovery

Are you taking antidepressants and have discussed stopping the medication with your doctor? Are you worried about the emotional side of antidepressant withdrawal and recovery?

Let our experienced addictions clinicians explain the advantages and considerations. Here at Find Me a Rehab we offer Free Clinician Addiction Advice to anyone. Your call/email is treated in the strictest of confidence and our advice is wholly impartial. Our clinicians are not tied to any particular service. If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help: Call or email.

Antidepressants help millions of people, all over the world, to recover from a serious illness. They are also used for pain control in certain conditions. Moreover, they have multiple other uses that have become apparent over time. After all, Viagra was not invented for fun times in the bedroom. However, its use in that department (pardon the pun) was discovered over time. But, what about the emotional withdrawal side when you stop using antidepressants?

Antidepressant use is often linked in with other issues, usually unresolved mental health conditions and psychological trauma. They can be as addictive as Pregabalin and Gabapentin, and just as difficult to come off.

Emotional Side of Antidepressant Withdrawal

While under prescribing is a common problem with antidepressants, especially by GP’s, when the time comes to stop taking them withdrawal needs to be done safely, under medical supervision. Often, this is done by tapering (a period of reduction). This may involve reducing doses or taking the medication on alternate days, etc. Those experiencing antidepressant withdrawal might notice emotional disturbances. Though the physical signs from antidepressants are not necessarily dangerous, they can be a rough ride similar to a serious bout of flu.

It is not uncommon to feel very restless, excessively tired and to sweat: A lot. However, recent research now suggests that there can be significant emotional and social difficulties when withdrawing from anti-depressants. These can still happen when someone tapers with medical supervision, making rehab even more important.

Latest research

Academics from the Universities of Bristol and Bath examined the experience of anti-depressant withdrawal. They paid particular attention to how withdrawal affects quality of life. While this was a small scale study of twenty people, the interviews were very in depth. The study concentrated on the most widely used family of antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors such as Fluoxetine (Prozac).

The findings, which were part of a doctoral study, found that the participants in the study experienced a significant deterioration in their emotional state of wellbeing and their cognitive function. The way they interacted with friends, at social gatherings, etc was also impacted.

Let our experienced addictions clinicians explain the advantages and considerations. Here at Find Me a Rehab we offer Free Clinician Addiction Advice to anyone. Your call/email is treated in the strictest of confidence and our advice is wholly impartial. Our clinicians are not tied to any particular service. If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help: Call or email.

Emotional Side of Antidepressant Withdrawal

The specific issues reported were things such as finding social gatherings less enjoyable and not being able to emotionally support friends and relatives who are having a difficult time. Feelings of being detached from social events were also reported. One of the more concerning themes from the evidence collected was that people coming off anti-depressants were so affected by these feelings that they wanted to go back on medication.

Emotional Side of Antidepressant Withdrawal

While some of the people taking part in the study said that they only experienced issues within the first few days or weeks, others reported having continued difficulties lasting for many months. Participants described feeling as if going to social functions was a chore. It seemed rather than something to enjoy while dealing with the emotional side of antidepressant withdrawal. Several used the phrase “going through the motions.” Others felt as if they believed themselves to be more difficult to live with when not on anti-depressants. They also thought that their family and friends would be more content if they re-started their medication. Over fifty percent of those participating in the study described how their family relationships suffered. They also would find themselves being more on edge than when on tablets.

Sadly, some people will try and use alcohol to try and build up the courage to attend social functions. However, staying sober at social events becomes even more important when coming off anti depressants.

There are, of course, positives to coming off anti-depressants. Often, when on medication for depression, patients report that their emotional responses are suppressed or blunted. When coming off medication this effect goes into reverse, highlighting another aspect of the emotional side of antidepressant withdrawal.

Why rehab?

Coming off anti-depressants needs to be a collaborative approach agreed with your doctor/psychiatrist. Never attempt to do this on your own. In a rehab centre, there are qualified medical staff, specialist addictions therapists and support staff (often in recovery themselves). Group therapy forms the cornerstone of the therapy, aside from a carefully managed tapering from antidepressants. Adjunctive treatments are also very effective, such as art therapy.

Let our experienced addictions clinicians explain the advantages and considerations. Here at Find Me a Rehab we offer Free Clinician Addiction Advice to anyone. Your call/email is treated in the strictest of confidence and our advice is wholly impartial. Our clinicians are not tied to any particular service. If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help: Call or email.

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