News in brief Physicians and patients discuss antidepressant withdrawal Antidepressant withdrawal has become a hot topic in health care following a series of articles from The New York Times. April 18, 2018Wednesday The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email The New York Times recently published a long-form article detailing the problems many patients have had trying to stop taking antidepressant medications, in some cases after taking them for years. Although not every patient who takes antidepressants has trouble quitting, the article cited patients, survey results and studies describing withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, irritation and confusion. Two surveys of more than 100 patients have found that half or more had withdrawal symptoms when they stopped taking antidepressants, the article noted. Psychiatrists respond Several psychiatrists responded to the article by writing letters to the editor. The article minimizes the benefits antidepressants have had on the lives of many patients, noted a group of psychiatrists affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Withdrawal from antidepressants has not been well-studied, but the clinical consensus is that it rarely occurs and is treatable, the group stated. The group also noted that for the majority of patients, depression is a chronic illness and patients typically experience relapses, which the medications help to prevent. Another psychiatrist noted that what appeared to be withdrawal symptoms for some could be a return of depression. Patients chime in The Times also put out a query for readers to share their experiences with antidepressant withdrawal. The newspaper received nearly 9,000 responses. Many readers noted that the drugs helped them get through a difficult time, with some going on to say that practical considerations such as side effects or pregnancy led them to try to stop, and that difficulties ensued. Some readers reported having to taper off the drugs over the course of several months or longer, with others saying that they weren’t able to stop taking the drugs altogether. More in Newsbriefs TouroCOM opens new school in Great Falls, Montana The new campus is Touro University’s third college of osteopathic medicine and the first nonprofit medical school in Montana. “Operation Nightingale” fraud scheme alert: Bogus nursing credentials sold to thousands of aspiring nurses It was recently discovered that a scheme, nicknamed “Operation Nightingale,” offered aspiring nurses the opportunity to purchase fake nursing degree diplomas and transcripts. Previous articleNominate physicians for the National Academy of Medicine Anniversary Fellowship in Osteopathic Medicine Next articleAmerican Indian DO shares insights on working with Cherokee Nation patients
TouroCOM opens new school in Great Falls, Montana The new campus is Touro University’s third college of osteopathic medicine and the first nonprofit medical school in Montana.
“Operation Nightingale” fraud scheme alert: Bogus nursing credentials sold to thousands of aspiring nurses It was recently discovered that a scheme, nicknamed “Operation Nightingale,” offered aspiring nurses the opportunity to purchase fake nursing degree diplomas and transcripts.
I have never been able to stop my SSRI Celexa. I have been trying for years. The worst of my withdrawal has been escalating nightmares that become so gruesome I was afraid to go to sleep. Yes it did help when I needed it Mar. 5, 2019, at 10:55 pm Reply