A patient who decides to abruptly cease taking an antidepressant drug might experience…

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Abruptly ceasing an antidepressant drug can lead to a serotonin discontinuation syndrome, which can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, and flu-like symptoms. It is important for patients to slowly taper off antidepressant medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider to avoid discomfort and complications. Drug-seeking behavior and sexual side effects are generally not associated with abrupt antidepressant discontinuation. Emotional blunting may be a side effect of antidepressants, but it is not a withdrawal symptom of abruptly stopping the medication.

A Patient Who Decides to Abruptly Cease Taking an Antidepressant