Antidepressant Withdrawal: Symptoms, Risks, and How to Manage It Safely

When you stop taking an antidepressant, a medication used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders by balancing brain chemicals. Also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, it’s not a relapse—it’s your body adjusting after weeks or months of chemical changes. Many people think if they feel fine, they can just quit. But that’s when trouble starts. Up to 80% of people who stop abruptly experience some form of withdrawal, even if they’ve been on a low dose. It’s not weakness. It’s biology.

SSRI withdrawal, a subtype of antidepressant withdrawal linked to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline or fluoxetine, often brings dizziness, brain zaps, nausea, and sleep problems. SNRI withdrawal, the reaction that follows stopping drugs like venlafaxine or duloxetine that affect both serotonin and norepinephrine, tends to be worse—more intense flu-like symptoms, anxiety spikes, and emotional numbness. These aren’t imaginary. They’re measurable. Studies show symptoms can start within days, peak around day 5, and last weeks if not handled right. The key? Slow down. Tapering isn’t optional—it’s the only safe path.

Some people try to quit cold turkey because they think the side effects are worse than the withdrawal. But that’s like swapping one problem for a worse one. Switching medications? That’s another minefield. You need to cross-taper, not just stop one and start another. Even herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort can mess with your system if you’re not careful. And don’t ignore the emotional side—feeling suddenly flat, irritable, or crying for no reason? That’s part of it too.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve been through it. From how to spot early warning signs to what your doctor should actually do when you say you want to stop, we’ve pulled together everything that matters. No fluff. No theory. Just what works when you’re trying to get off antidepressants without losing your mind—or your stability.