SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome

Serotonin is one of those important chemicals found in the central nervous system, platelets and the gastrointestinal tract of humans as well as animals. This chemical acts as a neurotransmitter that helps in the transmission of messages within the nervous system. Apart from that, serotonin has an active role in various physiological functions of the body. In the central nervous system, the actions of this chemical include mood regulation, memory, learning, controlling sleep, appetite and muscle contractions. Studies show that an abundance or scarcity of serotonin in the human body may enhance or lower ones mood respectively. It is due to this fact that most of the depression medication on the principle of increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. When the person discontinues, interrupts or suddenly reduces the dosage of such antidepressant medication, like SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), he/she may experience some withdrawal symptoms that is collectively known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome/SSRI cessation syndrome or even zaps.

What are the Symptoms of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome

According to health experts, SSRI discontinuation withdrawal symptoms usually occur in people, who abruptly interrupt, discontinue or reduce the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors as a treatment for depression. However, in some cases, such symptoms may appear, even though the drugs are tapered slowly. The use of SSRI drugs should have lasted for at least one month for the person to develop SSRI discontinuation syndrome symptoms, when he stops the use of these medication. In other words, the symptoms will occur, when a person who has been using SSRI antidepressants for a period of four weeks or more, stops its use. The symptoms may appear within 24 hours to ten days of discontinuation of the medication. It may depend on the metabolism of the person and various other factors. Usually, these symptoms start within three days of stopping SSRI drug intake.

The symptoms of the condition vary from one person to another. While some experience mild symptoms, others may suffer from severe and debilitating ones. The severity of these symptoms depends on a number of factors like the type of medication and the condition of the patient. The most common symptoms include nausea, headaches, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, blurred vision, sensory disturbances, tingling skin, gastrointestinal problems, balance problems and tiredness. The person may also experience flu-like symptoms, panic attacks and in severe cases of SSRI discontinuation syndrome, sensations that resemble electric shocks.

In most cases, these symptoms are found to be mild and last for a few days, but may appear as severe ones in some people and may even require hospitalization. It has been observed that SSRI discontinuation withdrawal symptoms last for a maximum period of around two weeks. As the duration of the use of these antidepressant drugs increases, the symptoms may also last longer. How long do these symptoms last is also based on many factors, but this condition is rare in those, who have not taken these medicines for a longer period of time, usually for more than four weeks.

Treatment for SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome

Treatment for the above said symptoms is decided as per the severity and the condition of the patient. If the patient does not need further treatment for depression, in the form of antidepressant medication, then, the symptoms are treated on the basis of severity. Mild ones need reassurance and support and moderate ones are treated as per symptom management (like insomnia is treated with drugs meant for that condition). Severe symptoms are once again treated with antidepressant medication and then withdrawn gradually. If the patient needs further antidepressant medication, then, a second course will be started again. However, it is always better to avoid this syndrome by gradually lowering the dosage of these drugs rather than stopping them abruptly.

In short, SSRI discontinuation syndrome is found to be a reversible condition. However, it is always advisable that these antidepressant drugs must be used under the strict supervision of your doctor and this applies to its stoppage as well.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.