General practitioners' and psychiatrists' attitudes towards antidepressant withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There has been a recent rise in antidepressant prescriptions. After the episode for which it was prescribed, the patient should ideally be supported in withdrawing the medication. There is increasing evidence for withdrawal symptoms (sometimes called discontinuation symptoms) occurring on ceasing treatment, sometimes having severe or prolonged effects.

Aims

To identify and compare current knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists in Cornwall, UK, concerning antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

Method

Questions about withdrawal symptoms and management were asked of GPs and psychiatrists in a multiple-choice cross-sectional study co-designed with a lived experience expert.

Results

Psychiatrists thought that with

SUBMITTER: McCabe J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7345735 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature