Are Antidepressants Forever? Understanding Safe Discontinuation and Deprescribing
Are you—or someone you care about—part of the millions of people taking ssri antidepressants to manage anxiety disorder or depression? You’re not alone.
In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, we dive deep into why Australia leads the world in antidepressant use, what long-term ssri use really means for your body and mind, and how you can break free when those prescriptions turn into an endless habit. Wondering what do ssris do to your brain? I’ve got the answers you need.Using real facts and expert insights, I break down the surprising rise in ssri antidepressants prescriptions—mostly written by GPs—and explore why so many people stay on these meds for years, even when they might not need them. I clarify the difference between true relapse and ssri withdrawal symptoms, revealing how the ssri mechanism of action makes stopping more complex than it seems. Are ssris bad for you in the long run? This episode digs into the ssri experience to find out. Most research focuses on the short-term effects of antidepressants, leaving gaps in understanding what happens after years or decades. Many stay on them, influenced by the ssri chemical imbalance theory, yet face ssri side effects like lethargy, weight gain, emotional numbness, and sexual dysfunction—sometimes lingering even after quitting. If ssri anxiety or other challenges sound familiar, you’ll want to hear this. Here’s the good news: I walk you through Australia’s groundbreaking “Release” initiative—a step-by-step, evidence-based plan for tapering down ssri use. It’s designed to help you or your patients safely reduce and stop long-term antidepressants without fear, confusion, or the dread of taking ssri again due to returning symptoms. Whether you’ve just started ssris, have years of ssri experience, or are a healthcare professional seeking the latest ssri news, this video offers practical advice and hope. Don’t let antidepressant use become a silent lifetime sentence—join me to start the conversation and take action together! Subscribe for more mental health insights! Share your ssri anxiety story below! #SSRI #Antidepressants #MentalHealth #SSRIWithdrawalSymptoms #TaperingDownSSRI Chapters00:00:00 Australia’s High Antidepressant Use: An Alarming Trend
00:00:43 Why Are People Staying on Antidepressants Long Term?
00:01:41 The Habit of Long Term Use: Automatic and Unquestioned
00:02:30 Lack of Evidence for Long Term Effectiveness
00:03:18 Downsides and Side Effects of Chronic Use
00:03:54 Emotional Numbness and Lasting Sexual Dysfunction
00:04:31 Withdrawal vs. Relapse: The Challenge of Stopping00:05:08 Tapering Difficulties and Lack of Guidelines
00:05:59 The Release Program: A New Approach to Safe Deprescribing
00:06:45 Changing the Narrative: Tools and Support for Safe Discontinuation