A groundbreaking survey found that over half of people experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit antidepressants.
The study, which interviewed 1,829 New Zealanders, found that 54.9% had experienced at least some withdrawal effects.
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms: more common than you think
Withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants typically last around two to three months and can include headaches, nausea, anxiety, and other unpleasant side-effects.
Alarmingly, almost one-third of people reported becoming addicted to the drugs.
On top of that, antidepressants are known to become less effective over time and getting off of them can see withdrawal symptoms and a rebound of symptoms.
Despite these high numbers, only 1% of participants could recall their prescribing doctor mentioning withdrawal problems as a possible side-effect.
This lack of information may have contributed to the widespread addiction and dependence on antidepressants.
The study highlights the need for better education around the potential risks associated with this drug.
Professor John Read, who led the study, emphasised that healthcare professionals must be more open about the risks of antidepressant withdrawal and addiction.
"This study makes a significant contribution to our understanding of long-term usage and the experience of users," he said.
Around 10% of people in countries like the US and UK are prescribed antidepressants each year, with many of them on repeat prescriptions.
This means that people are staying on antidepressants for longer, which raises questions about addiction and withdrawal.
Side effects
As well as withdrawal symptoms, a 2016 paper published in the Patient Preference and Adherence found that side effects were also common when taking antidepressants long-term.
While those questioned in the study did report less depression and an overall better quality of life, many reported unwanted side effects.The most common were:
- Sexual problems (72%), including the inability to reach orgasm (65%)
- Weight gain (65%)
- Feeling emotionally numb (65%)
- Not feeling like themselves (54%)
- Reduced positive feelings (46%)
- Feeling as if they’re addicted (43%)
- Caring less about other people (36%)
- Feeling suicidal (36%)
About 74% of people in this study also mentioned withdrawal symptoms and said they needed support when coming off of antidepressants.
How do antidepressants work?
A study from last year found that antidepressants work in part by boosting brain plasticity.
However, there are a number of other substances and strategies that can also boost neuroplasticity without the side effect.
For example, exercise, psychedelics and lion’s mane mushrooms (among others) have all been shown to increase synapses and plasticity in the brain to exert their antidepressant effects.
This 2021 study found that a single dose of psilocybin produced antidepressant effects by increasing the number of synapses in at the brain and enhancing serotonin signalling.
Previous research has found that psilocybin rapidly increases the expression of several genes related to neuroplasticity in the rat brain.
And in 2020, a clinical study found that two sessions of psilocybin-assisted therapy produced significant and lasting antidepressant effects, proving to be more than four times more effective than commonly-prescribed antidepressant drugs.
Lion's Mane mushroom also has a significant impact on the growth of brain cells and neuroplasticity.
A study on mice from earlier this year discovered a compound in lion’s mane, called Hericene A, promotes neuron growth and improves memory.
Other research has found that lion’s mane increases NGF (nerve growth factor), which plays a role in neuroplasticity and neurogeneration (growth of new brain cells).
Natural antidepressants
Exercise, diet, stress relief, mediation, language and instrument learning, socialising, sunlight and novel experiences have also been shown to promote neuroplasticity and to reduce depressive symptoms.
All this suggests that substances and practices that help the brain to adapt, grow, and even repair itself, potentially offer treatment for mood disorders such as depression and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, as well as brain injuries and even strokes.
A call to action
The prevalence of withdrawal effects and side effects is a wake-up call for both healthcare professionals and those taking antidepressants.
It's crucial that we prioritise education and awareness around the risks associated with long-term antidepressant use, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction.
We should also put more focus on treating the underlying causes of depression, such as metabolic dysfunction and lifestyle choices.
Stay informed, stay healthy!
