New guidelines suggest that primary care physicians should wean patients off antidepressants to reduce withdrawal symptoms and help reduce addiction to millions of drugs.
NHS watchdog Nice said adults who want to stop taking antidepressants should reduce the dose gradually rather than going ‘cold turkey’.
Experts hope that stopping the pill over time will reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and allow more people to successfully come off the pill. But charities are concerned that GPs are unable to reduce individuals’ medication and are pushing for fewer prescriptions to be given initially.
The changes are the result of a record number of antidepressants being distributed. An estimated 8.3 million patients received an antidepressant in 2021-2022 – compared to 7.9 million last year. The Daily Mail has long campaigned to raise awareness of antidepressant overprescribing.
New guidelines suggest primary care doctors wean patients off antidepressants to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce the millions dependent on the drugs
The changes are the result of a record number of antidepressants being distributed. An estimated 8.3 million patients received an antidepressant in 2021-2022 – up from 7.9 million last year
According to the new draft guideline, those who want to stop taking the medication should first discuss with their doctor whether it is appropriate to stop taking the medication, and then discuss the speed and duration of stopping.
According to the expert panel, the withdrawal symptoms must be resolved or tolerated before the next dose reduction is made.
Mental health charity Mind has welcomed the guidelines, which it hopes will “provide a focus for improvement”. However, a spokesman added: “We know that the vast majority of GPs do not feel they really have the skills to help people come off their medication.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
