Most people only experience mild to moderate forms of SSRI discontinuation syndrome. Withdrawal can happen to anyone taking sertraline for a few months or longer.Overall, research shows that roughly one half (46%) of people going through SSRI withdrawal describe their symptoms as severe. Sertraline has a relatively short half-life compared to other SSRIs—about one day.

Drug half-life is only part of the reason for SSRI discontinuation syndrome symptoms. This most commonly occurs when treatment is stopped abruptly and can manifest with symptoms that seem very much like the depression and anxiety SSRIs were being taken to treat. Vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements may be helpful. Addiction is characterized by the pattern of the use of substances in the face of adverse consequences.

This means that within a few days you will have very little sertraline in your bloodstream. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will connect you with staff or volunteers at a crisis center near you. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved It’s important for you to know that discontinuation of your antidepressants may lead to a Sertraline withdrawal symptoms may persist for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after your last dose.

Serotonin is a type of chemical, called a neurotransmitter, whose purpose is to deliver messages to and from brain cells. Having people around who can help and support you through a difficult time can reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can make withdrawal symptoms even worse.

However, new research suggests that a slow taper stretched out over the course of several months may be more effective than traditional tapering schedules. About 50% of people who recover from depression experience another depressive episode in their lifetime.

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Brain Zaps and Paresthesia. It is also used to treat severe pre-menstrual symptoms caused by premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It's a physiological balancing act meant to prevent the overstimulation of brain cells. The

Sertraline works by preventing the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin, thereby increasing your serotonin levels available between nerve cells in the brain. The duration of SSRI withdrawal can vary, but you can expect it to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, however, sometimes it can last much longer.

Recognizing the signs of suicidal ideation in yourself or someone else can help save your life or the life of a loved one.

When used over a period of time, SSRIs can effect changes in the brain that result in alterations in serotonin receptors. Sertraline withdrawal is a real thing and quitting it is a real challenge for lots of people. Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. If you do have severe withdrawal symptoms, it does not mean that you are addicted to sertraline. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you will want to talk to your OB-GYN or psychiatrist about the risks and benefits of continuing and discontinuing sertraline.

More than half (56%) of people quitting antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms. When this happens, the brain will "down-regulate" the number of receptors in response to the increased volume of serotonin.

The full range of potential withdrawal symptoms include: On the other hand, if you do discontinue sertraline while you’re pregnant, you are more likely to relapse. The Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. One of the most important factors in SSRI withdrawal management is the presence of a social support system.