A recent study led by researchers from University College London (UCL), published in Psychiatry Research, has identified a strong correlation between the duration of antidepressant use and the incidence, severity, and persistence of withdrawal symptoms. Based on survey responses from 310 NHS patients in England who had attempted to discontinue antidepressants, the study found:
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Individuals who had used antidepressants for more than two years were 10 times more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms than those who had used them for under six months.
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64% of long-term users reported moderate to severe withdrawal effects, with 25% experiencing severe symptoms.
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30% of long-term users had symptoms lasting over three months; 12% reported symptoms beyond a year.
The researchers concluded that longer usage duration—rather than the severity of the original mental health condition—was the primary predictor of withdrawal difficulty. The authors recommend careful planning and consultation with informed clinicians when discontinuing long-term antidepressant use.
