Treating the Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Generally, an antidepressant is used as a psychiatricdisappears if cured properly within a week.
medication and is prescribed to patients to decreaseSuppose a person has stopped taking
clinical depression, which is also known as Dysthymia.anti-depressants without consulting his doctor, he has
Some of the anti-depressants that are commonlyto follow regular schedule and start taking the drugs
used are MAOIs, tricycles and SSRIs.again. But in case he has stopped taking medication
Medications to treat depression are considered asfor any specific purpose, then he first needs to consult
stimulants and not pharmacology. These are also usedhis doctor before stopping the medication. Accordingly,
in case anxiety disorders, eating disorders, bipolarthe doctor will increase or decrease the dosage of the
disorder and chronic pain as well. That is the reasonmedication.
why some of them call these medications as lifestyleIn order to prevent antidepressant discontinuation
drugs and/or mood enhancers. That is one of thesyndrome, doctors usually taper the medication
reasons for various examinations and claims about thegradually. This ensures that the patient does not suffer
disadvantages and benefits of antidepressants.from any withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the patient
When a person discontinues an anti-depressant, heshould follow the guidelines set by the doctor. In case
suffers from sleeping disorder, dizziness, stomachthe patient wants to discontinue the medication, he
upsets, and also nervousness. This is what is knownmust consult the doctor first. This way the patient and
as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Apartthe doctor can be certain that there is no problem of
from these symptoms, various other symptoms areaddiction whatsoever.
also observed. This syndrome is not very harmful. It