A deeply personal story recently published in the Daily Mail, titled “I almost ended my life on antidepressants, ditching them saved me,” has struck a chord with readers who are questioning the impact of long-term antidepressant use and the consequences of withdrawal. This article arrives at a time of intensifying scientific scrutiny and public debate, as researchers worldwide uncover mounting evidence that discontinuing antidepressant medications can result in a complex and sometimes debilitating set of symptoms—findings that are directly relevant to an increasing number of Thai people prescribed these medicines for depression and anxiety.
For many Thais, antidepressants (ยาต้านเศร้า) have become a routine part of treatment for mental health conditions—just as in Western countries, rising rates of depression and anxiety have led to increased prescriptions. Yet, stories like the one featured in the Daily Mail mirror concerns voiced by Thai patients and clinicians alike: what really happens when these medications are stopped, and is the withdrawal process as safe and straightforward as once believed? Internationally, new large-scale studies suggest that the risks are greater than many realized, and health authorities are beginning to take notice, prompting a necessary re-examination of Thai prescribing practices and patient care protocols.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome — also known as antidepressant withdrawal syndrome — is now a well-identified phenomenon. It can occur after a month or more of continuous use of medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or older classes like MAOIs and TCAs, which are all available in Thailand Wikipedia. The symptoms are diverse: flu-like feelings, insomnia, intense nausea, dizziness, sensory disturbances, anxiety, mood swings, and in rare cases psychosis. These effects usually begin within three days of stopping the drug and may persist for weeks or even, in some cases, months. According to a major study published in The Lancet Psychiatry in 2024, discontinuation symptoms are not unusual: about one in three patients will experience some form of withdrawal after stopping their antidepressant, with 15–50% reporting noticeable symptoms and about half describing these as severe The Lancet Psychiatry, 2024.
The severity can be life-altering, as the Daily Mail feature emphasized, with individuals reporting disrupted jobs, broken relationships, and, alarmingly, an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors Sciencedirect, May 2025. A review published in 2025 found that the risk of suicide attempts during the discontinuation window rose by 60% compared to those who stopped antidepressants further in the past—a sobering statistic that underscores the seriousness of careful medication management.
Thai psychiatrists and primary care physicians have long been taught to taper these drugs slowly, often over months, to reduce withdrawal risk. Yet recent evidence indicates that even with gradual dose reductions, a significant minority of patients will still experience symptoms, particularly those who have been on antidepressants for years Guardian, December 2024. “Protracted withdrawal,” a phenomenon not yet well understood, has left both patients and doctors scrambling for answers. As one British expert, Dr. Mark Horowitz, states: “We need to acknowledge that withdrawal can be severe for some and shouldn’t be underestimated. Doctors and patients must work together to create safe plans for coming off medication.”
For Thai readers, these findings have urgent practical implications. Thailand’s mental health system, already under strain from rising demand and limited psychiatric resources, must now adapt to better support patients not just starting but also stopping antidepressant therapy. The Ministry of Public Health’s recent mental health promotion campaigns have encouraged more people to seek help for depression—but as more begin treatment, more will eventually confront the challenge of discontinuation. This is especially important given Thai societal values around stoicism and face (เกียรติ), which sometimes discourage patients from reporting distressing symptoms to their doctors, or from seeking help when withdrawal symptoms mimic a relapse of depression.
Statistically, the issue is not minor. Prescription of SSRIs and SNRIs in urban hospitals—and increasingly in rural clinics—has risen significantly over the past decade. In Europe and Australia, studies find that up to 10% of adults are now using antidepressant medication CNN, June 2024; although precise Thai figures are not published, drug import data and Ministry of Health reports suggest a similar upward trend. The normalization of long-term use brings a new responsibility for both prescribers and patients: understanding that withdrawal is not merely a psychological reaction, but a physiological phenomenon requiring medical guidance and, often, extended support.
Culturally, Thailand’s approach to mental health has undergone substantial shifts in recent years. Where once traditional Buddhist practices or herbal remedies were the default for emotional suffering, and psychiatric medications carried stigma, urbanization and Western-influenced medical education have broadened the landscape of treatment options. Yet the pressure to “return to normal” after a depressive episode often leads patients to underestimate the risk of withdrawal, or to self-taper without adequate supervision. The Daily Mail article echoes a pattern seen in Thai online forums (like Pantip and Thaihealth), where individuals share personal battles with discontinuation and warn others of the consequences of abrupt or unsupervised withdrawal.
Looking ahead, the latest research suggests that smarter, more individualized strategies are needed. International experts recommend switching to longer-acting antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) before tapering, to ease withdrawal, and warn against abrupt cessation, especially with drugs like paroxetine or venlafaxine, which have short half-lives and are sold widely under Thai brand names Wikipedia. Mental health advocates are calling for better patient education and more accessible support services, including nurse-led withdrawal clinics and online resources, to help those transitioning off medication.
For the Thai medical community, this is an opportunity to lead by example—by integrating withdrawal planning into every antidepressant prescription, offering regular check-ins during the taper phase, and actively encouraging patients to report new or disturbing symptoms. It also means challenging the idea that “quitting is the easy part,” as well as advocating for more Thai-language information about antidepressant discontinuation syndrome in hospitals and public health materials.
In conclusion, while antidepressants save lives and enable many people to function, emerging research makes clear that their withdrawal must be taken seriously. For any Thai patient or family coping with the challenge of stopping these medicines, the most important step is open communication with healthcare providers—never stop antidepressants abruptly, always taper under supervision, and ask for extra support if withdrawal symptoms appear. For healthcare professionals, the responsibility now is to prioritize withdrawal awareness, individualized tapering plans, and ongoing support for patients navigating this difficult but common journey.
For further information and support in Thailand, consider contacting the Department of Mental Health helpline (1323), speaking with a psychiatric nurse at your local hospital, or joining evidence-based mental health forums online. Remember: you are not alone in this, and with the right guidance, recovery is possible.
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