Overview

• The July 2025 JAMA Psychiatry meta-analysis of 50 randomized trials found that patients discontinuing antidepressants experienced an average of one additional symptom compared with those who continued treatment.
• Physical withdrawal effects such as dizziness, nausea, vertigo and nervousness were most frequently reported but rarely met the threshold for clinically significant discontinuation syndrome.
• The review determined that new-onset depression after stopping antidepressants reflects illness recurrence rather than withdrawal.
• Most trials included in the analysis tracked participants for up to two weeks after cessation and involved shorter treatment periods than typical long-term use.
• Experts caution that the focus on short-term, industry-funded studies underestimates risks for long-term users and are calling for updated tapering guidelines and extended follow-up research.