QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

What are the symptoms of SSRI withdrawal?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

1) dizziness,

2) light-headedness

3) vertigo or feeling faint

4) shock-like sensations

5) paresthesia

6) anxiety

7) diarrhea

8) fatigue

9) gait instability

10) headache

11) insomnia

12) irritability

13) nausea or vomiting

14) tremor

15) visual disturbances.

Symptoms begin within 1-7 days after stopping an SSRI (sometimes with a reduction in dose), if SSRI is used for a month. Approximately 50% are better in a week, for others the symptoms last much longer.

Prozac leaves the body slowly and is not associated with SSRI withdrawal.

Slowly tapering the SSRI is one way to avoid this phenomenon, as is a temporary switch to Prozac.

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