Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK have Updated guidance on stopping antidepressants.
The NICE guidelines suggest that for some, withdrawal symptoms can be mild and go away relatively quickly, without the need for any help. Other people can have more severe symptoms which last much longer (sometimes months or more).
At the moment we cannot predict who will get the more serious withdrawal symptoms.
RxISK has a number of tools and resources to help inform and support those experiencing withdrawal problems, or for those who are about to start a drug and are concerned that it might be difficult to stop at the end of their treatment.
The RxISK Report tool can help identify problems caused by stopping a drug — for example, withdrawal side effects. A useful Drug Search tool and interaction checker are essential for getting a more complete picture of the effects of medications you are taking, whether psychiatric or other drugs. A checklist tool is useful to review before filing a prescription. Guides and papers on withdrawal are available for easy reference.
PIMsPlus is a free searchable resource for safer medication use which is focused on Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs): medications that should be used with caution in older adults because research and clinical experience with these medications have shown that the risk of adverse effects can outweigh the benefits.
Some of the most knowledgeable support for antidepressant withdrawal for individuals who are tapering or after they’ve quit.
Has extensive information on psychiatric drug withdrawal from both professionals and laypersons.
Above link has extensive information about the ebook, which is available in all usual formats, and now also as doc ebook (word file), and see the editions of the book or ebook in French, Spanish, German, and Greek language here.
Taking Back Control
Self-management of mental health medication is a teaching tool for professionals and peers working in a recovery center setting.
The Quebec Alternative Mental Health Resources Group (RRASMQ) and the Association of Mental Health Intervention Groups in Quebec (AGIDD-SMQ) in collaboration with ÉRASME (Research Team and action in mental health and culture) have developed this personal guide to Autonomic Management of Medication.
Online Resources from RRASMQ:
Peter Breggin’s Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Guide
A roadmap for prescribers, therapists, patients and their families intended to enable patients to taper off their drugs and achieve emotional and physical recovery and well-being.
Will Hall’s Harm Reduction Guide
Available in hard copy as well as online for free. This Guide has been used internationally by individuals, families, professionals, and organizations, and is available a growing number of translations. Includes info on mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, risks, benefits, wellness tools, psychiatric drug withdrawal, information for people staying on their medications.
An accumulation of information regarding psychiatric medications and withdrawal including TWP Connect , a tool for connecting with others in your area.
Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
Advocates for greater understanding of the potentially devastating effects of commonly prescribed benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin, as well as prevention of patient injury through medical recognition, informed consent, and education.
Dr. Heather Ashton’s work in the field of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome resulted in what we’ve come to know as the Ashton Manual.
Patient-centered Presription Opioid Tapering in Community Outpatients With Chronic Pain
From JAMA Internal Medicine. A solution for patients and physicians to successfully reduce long-term prescription opioid dosages in settings where behavioral services are lacking.
WARM Network 