Generally, an antidepressant is used as a psychiatric medication and is prescribed to patients to decrease clinical depression, which is also known as Dysthymia. Some of the anti-depressants that are commonly used are MAOIs, tricycles and SSRIs.

Medications to treat depression are considered as stimulants and not pharmacology. These are also used in case anxiety disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and chronic pain as well. That is the reason why some of them call these medications as lifestyle drugs and/or mood enhancers. That is one of the reasons for various examinations and claims about the disadvantages and benefits of antidepressants.

When a person discontinues an anti-depressant, he suffers from sleeping disorder, dizziness, stomach upsets, and also nervousness. This is what is known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Apart from these symptoms, various other symptoms are also observed. This syndrome is not very harmful. It disappears if cured properly within a week.

Suppose a person has stopped taking anti-depressants without consulting his doctor, he has to follow regular schedule and start taking the drugs again. But in case he has stopped taking medication for any specific purpose, then he first needs to consult his doctor before stopping the medication. Accordingly, the doctor will increase or decrease the dosage of the medication.

In order to prevent antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, doctors usually taper the medication gradually. This ensures that the patient does not suffer from any withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the patient should follow the guidelines set by the doctor. In case the patient wants to discontinue the medication, he must consult the doctor first. This way the patient and the doctor can be certain that there is no problem of addiction whatsoever.

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