Withdrawal from psychiatric medication is a subject that is seldom talked about and rarely addressed by health professionals. The silence and the taboo surrounding the topic deprive us of crucial information. Many people don't even dare to talk to their doctor or loved ones about diminishing their medication for fear of their reactions. Isolated and lacking information, some will taper in risky ways.
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Why do people want to reduce or come off their medication?
There are a host of reasons:
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Some side effects are painful or unbearable
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The possible risks to long-term health are significant
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Medication doesn't work for them or isn't effective
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The situation that triggered the difficulties has changed
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They have developed alternative and satisfying ways to deal with their situation
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They want to know themselves without the effect of medication
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They prefer to adopt approches that act on the causes and the source of the problems, not only on the symptoms.
To come to the decision to reduce medication, several factors must be taken into account. The GAM personal guide is an excellent tool to consult for anyone considering reducing or coming off their psychiatric medication. See the next section, Effects of withdrawal to find out more.
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EXPLORING FURTHER
Websites
International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
Mad in America- Drug Withdrawal Resources
Mind Freedom - Coming off psychiatric medication
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Articles
The Challenge of Going Off Psychiatric Drugs
Stopping antidepressants: Exploring the patient's experience
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms shouldn't be mistaken for return of illness
Many People Taking Antidepressants Discover They Cannot Quit
How to Quit Antidepressants: Very Slowly, Doctors Say
Researchers Provide Guidance for Reducing and Stopping Psychiatric Drugs
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'I was sobbing uncontrollably': Patients say antidepressants difficult to quit
Videos
Gaining Autonomy and Navigating Psychiatric Medication: Olga Runciman and Celine Cyr in conversation
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Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Town Hall 1 - Introducing the Series
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Town Hall 2 - Exploring the Science
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Town Hall 3 - Post-Withdrawal Experiences
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Town Hall 4 - The Psychiatric Drugging of our Children
Coming Off Psych Drugs: A Meeting of the Minds (on coming off psychiatric medication)
Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs Workshop with Will Hall
Mark Horowitz, MBBS, PhD: Researching Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
Podcasts
The Naked Scientists - Coming off Antidepressants
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Antidepressant withdrawal: why has it been ignored for so long?
Books
The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction". Joseph Glenmullen
A Straight Talking Introduction To Psychiatric Drugs (Second Edition): The Truth About How They Work And How To Come Off Them . Joanna Moncrieff
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal. A Guide for Prescribers, Therapists, Patients and their Families . Peter R. Breggin
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Psychotropes, réussir son sevrage. Peter Lehmann
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Withdrawal from Prescribed Psychotropic Drugs. Peter Lehmann
The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counseling and Psychotherapy. Special Edition: Withdrawal from Prescribed Psychotropic Drugs . Directed by Peter Lehmann
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Guides
BENZODIAZEPINES: HOW THEY WORK AND HOW TO WITHDRAW
Harm reduction guide to coming off psychiatric drugs
Guide to getting off psychotropic drugs by reducing the harmful effects
Tapering and stopping antipsychotics
The Psychotropic Withdrawal Handbook
A short guide to what every psychological therapist should know about working with psychiatric drugs
