Pitfalls of Antidepressant Medications

Millions of people start taking antidepressants every year. But how many stop? Despite what we have heard for years, the process of withdrawing from antidepressant medications can be long, unpleasant, and even dangerous. Today’s guest is one of the foremost researchers in “deprescribing” or withdrawing from antidepressants. Join us as Dr. Mark Horowitz from University College London explains the possible side effects of withdrawal, how to taper slowly and safely, and why you might want to consider going off antidepressants. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS, PhD, is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry at the National Health Service (NHS) in England, an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at University College London, and is a training psychiatrist. He has a PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action. He is an associate editor of the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. He co-authored the recent Royal College of Psychiatry guidance on “Stopping Antidepressants,” and his work informed the recent NICE guidelines on safe tapering of psychiatric medications. He has written several papers about safe approaches to tapering psychiatric medications, including publications in The Lancet Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, and Schizophrenia Bulletin. He has an interest in rational psychopharmacology and deprescribing psychiatric medication and co-founded Outro Health, the first personalized, clinician-guided service for coming off antidepressants. He has experienced the difficulty of withdrawing from psychiatric medications firsthand, which has informed much of his work. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.