How common and severe are six withdrawal effects from, and addiction to, antidepressants? The experiences of a large international sample of patients. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Read, John
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 102(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Antidepressants -- Withdrawal effects -- Dependency -- Addiction -- Informed consent; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 55% of people who tried to come off or reduce report some degree of difficulty doing so 61% report 'withdrawal effects', with 44% of these describing the effects as 'severe' 40% report 'addiction', with 39% of these describing their addiction as 'severe' 'Anxiety/panic' (66%) and 'Irritability (62%) are particularly common. <1% had been told anything about withdrawal effects or dependence. Abstract: Introduction: The incidence and severity of withdrawal effects when coming off antidepressants (ADs) have recently received considerable attention. National guidelines on the topic have proven to be inaccurate. This paper reports the largest direct-to-patient international survey on these issues. Methods: Data generated by an online survey from 867 people from 31 countries, who had taken ADs continuously for at least one month, and had tried to come off (successfully or not) was analysed. Results: The majority (59%) had taken ADs for more than three years. Of those who were still taking them, 29% had been doing so for at least 20 years. 61% reported some degree of withdrawal effects, and 44% of these described the effects as 'severe'. The most common of six listed withdrawal effects were anxiety/panic (66%) and irritability (62%). The most common spontaneously reported 'other' withdrawal effect was suicidality (2%). 40% reported that they felt addicted, with 39% of these describing their addiction as 'severe'. Over half (55%) reported some degree of difficulty coming off, with 27% ticking 'very difficult', and 11% 'very easy'. Duration of treatment was related to withdrawal, addiction and difficulty coming off. Younger people experienced more frequent withdrawal effects. Only six people (0.7%) recalled being told anything about withdrawal, dependence or addiction by the initial prescriber. Conclusions: These findings confirm previous studies, using a range of methodologies, finding high incidences of withdrawal effects, frequently at severe levels. National guidelines, and those of professional organisations, urgently need to be updated to reflect this evidence.