Antidepressants withdrawal effects and duration of use: a survey of patients enrolled in primary care psychotherapy services

Abstract

Background Previous studies of antidepressant withdrawal have been limited by short duration of drug exposure or self-selected samples. Our study aimed to estimate withdrawal effects in routine clinical practice. Methods Participants from NHS primary care psychological treatment services who had ever tried to stop an antidepressant were surveyed. Regression models were constructed to examine the association between personal and medication characteristics, and withdrawal.