JAMA Psychiatry

What happens after stopping antidepressants?

July 16, 2025

While symptoms like dizziness were more common a week after stopping antidepressants, the number of symptoms didn’t reach the cut-off for clinically significant discontinuation syndrome, according to this systematic review and meta-analysis. Depressive symptoms weren’t seen at week one post-discontinuation, suggesting that worsened mood that presents at a later timepoint indicates a relapse.

Study details: 50 RCTs were included (17,828 individuals; mean age, 44; female, 66.9%). Follow-up ranged up to 52 weeks. Primary outcomes: Incidence and characterization of antidepressant-discontinuation symptoms, including the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms (DESS) scale.

Results. DESS results were equivalent to one additional symptom on the DESS scale a week later in those stopping antidepressants vs. those continuing antidepressants (or stopping a placebo). Dizziness was the symptom most often noted in the weeks post-discontinuation (odds ratio, 5.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.81-8.01), followed by nausea, vertigo, and nervousness, when compared with stopping placebo. Depressive symptoms weren’t associated with discontinuation.

Source:

Kalfas M, et al. (2025, July 9). JAMA Psychiatry. Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40632531/