SSRI antidepressants

Average rating:

SSRI antidepressants and suicidal behaviour

In recent years there have been some case reports which claim a link between taking SSRI antidepressants and feeling suicidal. The Committee on Safety of Medicines has recently reviewed the evidence on whether there is such a link. They were unable to find any convincing evidence of this link. The Committee on Safety of Medicines has stated that it will continue to monitor this issue.

Because of this possible link, see your doctor promptly if you become restless, anxious or agitated, or if you have any suicidal thoughts. In particular, if these develop in the early stages of treatment with an SSRI, or following an increase in dose.

Are SSRI antidepressants addictive?

SSRIs are not tranquillisers, and are not thought to be addictive. (This is disputed by some people, and so this is controversial. If addiction does occur, it is only in a minority of cases.) Most people can stop an SSRI without any problem. At the end of a course of treatment you should reduce the dose gradually over about four weeks before stopping. This is because some people develop 'withdrawal' symptoms if the SSRI is stopped abruptly.

Withdrawal symptoms that may occur include: dizziness, anxiety and agitation, sleep disturbance, 'flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, pins and needles, mood swings, feeling sick, and low mood. These symptoms are unlikely to occur if you reduce the dose gradually. If withdrawal symptoms do occur, they will usually last less than two weeks. An option if they do occur is to restart the medicine, and then reduce the dose even more slowly before stopping.

Some other points about SSRIs and OCD

Symptoms can improve by up to 70% if you take an SSRI. So, although symptoms may not go completely, they usually greatly improve so the obsessions and compulsions are much less of a problem. This can make a big difference to your quality of life.

You should not stop SSRI antidepressants suddenly. You should gradually reduce the dose as advised by a doctor at the end of treatment. In some people the symptoms return when medication is stopped. An option then is to take an SSRI antidepressant long-term. However, symptoms are less likely to return once you stop an SSRI antidepressant if you have had a course of CBT (described earlier).

Reasons why medication may not work so well in some people include:

The dose is not high enough and needs to be increased.
Medication was not taken for long enough - it may take up to 12 weeks to work.
Side-effects became a problem and so you may stop the medication. Tell a doctor if side-effects are troublesome.