#532 Stopping Antidepressants Safely

A recent analysis of clinical trials published in the British Medical Journal shows that some people may attempt suicide or harm themselves while taking antidepressant medications. How can family and friends recognize the warning signs of drug-induced complications before tragedy strikes? Many patients are faced with a distressing dilemma when they try to stop such drugs, though. Withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant and may be misconstrued as a recurrence of the original depression. Dr. Joe Glenmullen gives advice on how to phase off gradually. Guests: Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and “Addiction” (Free Press) His Web site is www.antidepressantsolution.org