{
  "id": 4016354,
  "title": "Doctors are finally learning to manage antidepressant withdrawal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/doctors-are-finally-learning-to-manage-antidepressant-withdrawal-4016354",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-27T22:26:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News Best",
    "slug": "hacker-news-best",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2584861-antidepressant-withdrawal-symptoms-are-prompting-a-radical-rethink-of-how-we-treat-depression/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mark Horowitz, a medical school student, began taking the antidepressant escitalopram 20 years ago to cope with anxiety. The medication proved effective, and he continued taking it daily for a decade. However, when he decided to discontinue the drug after reading about its effects wearing off over time, he experienced severe withdrawal symptoms including panic attacks, dizziness, and insomnia. These side effects were far worse than the depression that initially led him to start taking the medication. Horowitz ultimately resumed taking the drug due to the unbearable withdrawal symptoms.\n\nRecent research supports Horowitz's experience, with some experts suggesting that people may be unduly reliant on antidepressants due to misconceptions about their safety and effectiveness. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like escitalopram, are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They have gained popularity due to their perceived safety and lower risk of side effects compared to older antidepressants.\n\nDespite their widespread use, there is limited guidance on how to taper off SSRI medications and manage withdrawal symptoms. Clinical practice guidelines typically do not provide specific instructions for reducing doses or dealing with withdrawal, meaning that long-term use of SSRIs is often unmonitored. A 2022 study found that none of the national health authorities' guidelines offered clear advice on tapering or managing withdrawal symptoms.\n\nAs a result, people may struggle with intense withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop taking their medications. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as a recurrence of the original condition, leading to continued or increased use of antidepressants. Psychiatrists argue that the long-term effects of SSRIs remain poorly understood, with clinical trials typically lasting only eight weeks and insufficient data on long-term efficacy and withdrawal symptoms.\n\nIn response to these concerns, Horowitz has become a vocal advocate for a reevaluation of the way antidepressants are prescribed and managed. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing withdrawal symptoms, as well as improving the understanding of their potential severity and duration.",
  "summary": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260826205502/https://www.newsc... https://archive.ph/zahjc https://x.com/mikesmariani/status/2092966720252133523 Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49472090 Points: 251 # Comments: 312",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Scientist",
        "title": "Doctors are finally learning to manage antidepressant withdrawal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/doctors-are-finally-learning-to-manage-antidepressant-withdrawal",
        "published": "2026-08-26T15:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}