Ask patients to be warned of potential withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants

Patients seeking treatment for depression should be made aware of the potential risk of "severe and lasting withdrawal symptoms" when they stop taking medications, leading physicians said.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists stated that the official guidelines for stopping the medical treatment of depression should reflect "all of the patients' experiences."

The guidelines from the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (Nice) – which are currently being consulted – suggest that most people should be able to stop the use of antidepressants for four weeks.

But the college said it was "more and more obvious" that some patients may be suffering from more serious symptoms such as agitation, sleep difficulties and altered sensations longer.

College President Wendy Burn said she hoped their position would be reflected in the new Nice Guidelines, published in 2009.

She said, "We know that Nice is working on updating its guidelines and we want them to be more in tune with what some patients – and general practitioners – are saying about the range of experiences they have experienced when an antidepressant is removed.

"As psychiatrists, we have a duty to take into account the concerns of patients who have experienced more serious and lasting side effects of these medications."

According to data published by NHS Digital, a total of 70.9 million items intended to treat diseases such as depression and anxiety have been distributed in England in 2018.

That's almost double the number dispensed ten years ago in 2008, while there were 36 million. This is also an increase of 67.5 million in 2017 and 64.7 million in 2016.

The figure includes all items distributed by the NHS in England, with the exception of those given in hospitals or private prescriptions.

A college report released Thursday said that drug use should be "backed up by a discussion with the patient … about the potential level of benefits and harms, including weaning".

"There should be greater recognition of some people's potential for severe and lasting withdrawal symptoms on and after stopping antidepressants in some people, in accordance with Nice guidelines and patient information."

Ms. Burn said, "Antidepressants can be very effective in treating moderate to severe depression, especially in combination with speech therapies, and we want advice that best supports their use."