Can You Ever Go Off of Antidepressants? A Guide to Discontinuation

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a comprehensive meta-analysis, approximately 15% of patients, or one in six, experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking antidepressants [1.2.6]. The question, 'Can you ever go off of antidepressants?' is common, and the answer is yes, but it requires careful planning.

Quick Summary

It is possible to stop taking antidepressants, but it must be done carefully and under medical supervision to minimize risks like withdrawal syndrome. A gradual dose reduction, known as tapering, is crucial.

Key Points

Always Consult a Doctor: Never stop or change your antidepressant dose without medical supervision. Abruptly stopping can cause severe withdrawal symptoms [1.3.1].
Gradual Tapering is Key: The safest method is to slowly reduce the dose over weeks, months, or even longer, in a process called tapering [1.3.2].
Withdrawal is Common but Manageable: About 1 in 6 people experience withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and anxiety, which tapering helps to minimize [1.2.6].
Slower is Better at Low Doses: Newer 'hyperbolic' tapering models emphasize making very small reductions toward the end of the process, as small doses have a large effect on the brain [1.3.4].
Relapse vs. Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms usually appear within days, while a relapse of depression typically takes weeks or months to develop [1.8.1].
Holistic Support is Crucial: Combining tapering with psychotherapy, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve success and prevent relapse [1.9.1].
Some Medications are Higher Risk: Antidepressants with a shorter half-life, like paroxetine and venlafaxine, are often associated with more intense withdrawal symptoms [1.3.2].

The Decision to Stop: When Is It Time?

Many people successfully use antidepressants to manage conditions like depression and anxiety. However, there comes a time when a patient and their doctor may consider stopping the medication. Reasons for this decision vary widely and can include the resolution of initial symptoms, unpleasant side effects, or simply a desire not to be on medication long-term [1.8.1].

Clinicians generally recommend staying on antidepressants for at least six to nine months after symptoms have improved to reduce the chance of relapse [1.3.2, 1.9.1]. For individuals with a history of recurrent depression, treatment for two years or longer might be advised [1.3.2]. The decision to begin the process of discontinuation should always be a collaborative one between you and your healthcare provider, weighing the benefits you've received from the medication against the potential risks and benefits of stopping [1.6.3, 1.8.1].

Potential Benefits of Discontinuation

Stopping antidepressants can lead to the resolution of persistent side effects that may have impacted quality of life. These can include [1.6.2, 1.6.3, 1.6.6]:

Physical: Relief from issues like weight gain, dry mouth, headaches, and digestive problems [1.6.2, 1.6.3].
Mental: For some, stopping can lead to improved mental clarity and a reduction in emotional blunting, which is a feeling of being emotionally numb [1.6.2, 1.6.3].
Lifestyle: Restoration of sexual function and libido is a significant benefit for many, as sexual dysfunction is a common side effect [1.6.2, 1.6.3].

The Dangers of 'Cold Turkey': Understanding Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

It is critically important never to stop taking antidepressants abruptly [1.3.1, 1.6.1]. Doing so can lead to Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome, a condition characterized by a range of withdrawal symptoms. This is not the same as addiction but is a sign of physical dependence, where the body has adapted to the presence of the drug and needs time to readjust [1.8.1].

Symptoms typically emerge within a few days of stopping or reducing the dose and can vary in severity [1.2.5, 1.8.1]. The mnemonic FINISH is often used to summarize the most common symptoms [1.2.5]:

Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, headache, muscle aches)
Insomnia (with vivid dreams or nightmares)
Nausea (sometimes vomiting)
Imbalance (dizziness, vertigo)
Sensory disturbances (sensations of 'electric shocks' or 'brain zaps')
Hyperarousal (anxiety, irritability, agitation)

Some medications, particularly those with a short half-life like paroxetine (Paxil) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are associated with a higher risk and severity of withdrawal symptoms [1.2.5, 1.3.2].

The Safe Path: Tapering Under Medical Supervision

The recommended method for stopping antidepressants is a gradual dose reduction known as tapering [1.3.1]. This process gives your brain and body time to adjust to the absence of the medication, minimizing or preventing withdrawal symptoms [1.3.1]. A tapering plan must be individualized and created with your doctor [1.9.1].

Tapering Strategies

There are different approaches to tapering, and the appropriate one depends on the specific drug, your dose, how long you've been taking it, and your personal experience [1.9.1].

Proportional Tapering: A common strategy involves reducing the current dose by a certain percentage (e.g., 25-50%) and waiting 2 to 6 weeks to allow the body to adjust before the next reduction [1.3.1, 1.3.2].
Hyperbolic Tapering: More recent evidence suggests that the relationship between antidepressant dose and its effect on the brain is not linear. Smaller doses have a much larger effect than previously thought. Hyperbolic tapering accounts for this by making progressively smaller dose reductions as the total dose gets lower [1.2.1, 1.3.4]. This method may require dose reductions of just 5-10% of the original dose, especially in the final stages, and can take months or even over a year [1.2.1, 1.3.4]. This often requires using liquid formulations or specialized compounding pharmacies to create very small, precise doses [1.2.1, 1.3.4].


Comparison of Tapering vs. Abrupt Stoppage	Abrupt Stoppage ('Cold Turkey')	Gradual Tapering
Process	Medication is stopped all at once [1.6.1].	Dose is slowly reduced in increments over weeks or months [1.3.2].
Risk of Withdrawal	High likelihood of developing Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome [1.4.2].	Significantly minimizes or prevents withdrawal symptoms [1.3.2].
Risk of Relapse	Higher likelihood that original symptoms will return [1.3.1, 1.6.5].	Lower risk of relapse compared to abrupt stoppage [1.3.2].
Professional Guidance	Strongly advised against by all medical professionals [1.3.1].	The only medically recommended method for discontinuation [1.9.1].

Supporting Your Well-being During Discontinuation

Successfully coming off an antidepressant involves more than just reducing the pills. It's crucial to bolster your mental and physical health through other means [1.9.1].

Psychotherapy: Engaging in talk therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while tapering can significantly reduce the risk of relapse [1.3.2, 1.9.1].
Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular physical exercise has a powerful antidepressant effect [1.3.2]. A balanced diet, consistent sleep hygiene, and stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness are also vital supports [1.3.2, 1.7.2].
Social Support: Stay in close contact with your prescriber and let friends or family know what you are going through so they can provide support [1.9.1].

Conclusion

The answer to 'Can you ever go off of antidepressants?' is a hopeful 'yes' for many individuals, provided it is approached with caution, patience, and professional guidance. It is not a race to the finish line but a careful process of allowing your body to readjust. Abruptly stopping is dangerous and can lead to severe withdrawal and relapse [1.6.1]. By working with a healthcare provider to create a slow, individualized tapering plan and by supporting your overall well-being with therapy and healthy lifestyle choices, you can navigate the process of discontinuation safely and effectively.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication regimen.

Authoritative Link: Royal College of Psychiatrists - Stopping Antidepressants [1.8.1]

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a set of withdrawal symptoms that can occur after abruptly stopping or significantly reducing the dose of an antidepressant. Symptoms can include flu-like feelings, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, and sensory disturbances like 'brain zaps' [1.2.5].

The duration varies greatly depending on the person, the medication, the dose, and the duration of treatment. It can range from a few weeks to many months or even over a year, especially if a very slow, hyperbolic taper is needed [1.2.1, 1.3.1].

Yes, a slow taper is the recommended and safest approach. It allows your body to gradually adjust to the absence of the medication, which minimizes or prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of relapse [1.3.2].

Brain zaps are a type of sensory disturbance reported during antidepressant withdrawal, often described as feeling like a brief electric shock in the head [1.8.1]. They are a common symptom of discontinuation syndrome.

No, this is generally not recommended. Taking doses on alternate days can cause the level of medication in your body to fluctuate, which can make withdrawal symptoms more likely. A consistent, gradual reduction of the daily dose is preferred [1.8.1].

Withdrawal symptoms often appear quickly (within days) after reducing a dose and may include physical symptoms not typical of depression, like dizziness or 'brain zaps'. A relapse of depression usually develops more slowly, over weeks to months [1.4.5, 1.8.1].

Stopping abruptly can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, worsen your original depression or anxiety, and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. It is strongly advised against by medical professionals [1.4.2, 1.6.1].