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The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction"
With the FDA's warning that antidepressants may cause agitation, anxiety, hostility, and even violent or suicidal tendencies, these medications are at the forefront of national legal news. Harvard physician Joseph Glenmullen has led the charge to warn the public that antidepressants are overprescribed, underregulated, and, especially, misunderstood in their side and withdrawal effects. Now he offers a solution!
More than twenty million Americans -- including over one million teens and children -- take one of today's popular antidepressants, such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Effexor. Dr. Glenmullen recognizes the many benefits of antidepressants and prescribes them to his patients, but he is also committed to warning the public of the dangers associated with overprescription. Dr. Glenmullen's last book, Prozac Backlash, sounded the alarm about possible dangers. The Antidepressant Solution provides the remedy. It is the first book to call attention to the drugs' Although many people are ready to go off these drugs, they continue to take them because either the patient or the doctor mistakes antidepressant withdrawal for depressive relapse. The Antidepressant Solution offers an easy, step-by-step guide for patients and their doctors.
Written by the premier authority in the field, The Antidepressant Solution is an invaluable book for all those concerned with going through the process -- from friends and family members to doctors and patients themselves.
More than twenty million Americans -- including over one million teens and children -- take one of today's popular antidepressants, such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Effexor. Dr. Glenmullen recognizes the many benefits of antidepressants and prescribes them to his patients, but he is also committed to warning the public of the dangers associated with overprescription. Dr. Glenmullen's last book, Prozac Backlash, sounded the alarm about possible dangers. The Antidepressant Solution provides the remedy. It is the first book to call attention to the drugs' Although many people are ready to go off these drugs, they continue to take them because either the patient or the doctor mistakes antidepressant withdrawal for depressive relapse. The Antidepressant Solution offers an easy, step-by-step guide for patients and their doctors.
Written by the premier authority in the field, The Antidepressant Solution is an invaluable book for all those concerned with going through the process -- from friends and family members to doctors and patients themselves.
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2013
I picked up this book while I was already going through SSRI withdrawals and in fact in the home stretch – my doctor had been worthless in helping me through the process, and I was hoping this would be helpful. That said, it would have been far MORE helpful in the earlier stages of withdrawal, or even before withdrawal, but it at least made me realize that all my symptoms weren’t imaginary.
According to this book, 70% of antidepressants are prescribed by general practitioners, not psychiatrists. Many of them get information from manufacturers’ drug reps, and many of them are highly ill-informed about not only the side effects of drugs in particular, but also about the entire withdrawal process. This book discusses how an antidepressant tapering process must be customized to the individual because of the highly varied responses each person has, and was far more informative than my doctor ever was – and less insulting, too! Highly recommended for anyone coming off of an antidepressant, or considering an anti-depressant – chances are, if you start an AD, you’ll need this guide to stop taking the meds at some point.
According to this book, 70% of antidepressants are prescribed by general practitioners, not psychiatrists. Many of them get information from manufacturers’ drug reps, and many of them are highly ill-informed about not only the side effects of drugs in particular, but also about the entire withdrawal process. This book discusses how an antidepressant tapering process must be customized to the individual because of the highly varied responses each person has, and was far more informative than my doctor ever was – and less insulting, too! Highly recommended for anyone coming off of an antidepressant, or considering an anti-depressant – chances are, if you start an AD, you’ll need this guide to stop taking the meds at some point.
July 9, 2017
Highly recommend for anyone coming off, or thinking of coming off, antidepressants (whether for good or to switch to something else). Practical advice re tapering etc for all different brands, good case studies showing the wide range of possible reactions and some good science to explain what is going on in your brain. Fundamental point: never ever go cold turkey. Taper slowly and give your brain time to adjust.
May 2, 2019
This book was shared with me by a colleague who I told of my struggle with trying to wean myself off antidepressants. It is a revelation and gave me tremendous hope that I could successfully taper off my medication and that the reactions I was having while trying to get myself off the drug were from the withdrawal, and not due to a return of the original psychiatric symptoms I initially went on the SSRI for in the first place.
What is jarring from reading this is the number of doctors who don't recognize the difference between a patient's withdrawal symptoms and their original psychiatric symptoms. I will be sharing the information I learned from this book with my therapist and family doctor. The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is because it does get repetitive in places, but it is otherwise incredibly readable and not too dense for a layperson to understand.
What is jarring from reading this is the number of doctors who don't recognize the difference between a patient's withdrawal symptoms and their original psychiatric symptoms. I will be sharing the information I learned from this book with my therapist and family doctor. The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is because it does get repetitive in places, but it is otherwise incredibly readable and not too dense for a layperson to understand.
October 17, 2016
Another book I read recently, Peter Breggin’s The Antidepressant Fact Book, implies that psychiatric drugs are mostly useless and evil, just a ploy by Big Pharma to make money. He offers horror stories about people who committed murders and other crimes while under the influence of these drugs. Glenmullen offers a more reasoned approach. Antidepressants can help get patients out of a bad place, but he stresses that both doctors and patients don’t always realize that when it’s time to stop taking the drugs, it won’t be easy. The most popular drugs, such as Prozac, Paxil and Cymbalta, all create physical and emotional dependence. When you stop cold turkey, bad things happen. Having experienced some withdrawal reactions to psych drugs myself, I was eager to learn how to get off these things safely and forever. Glenmullen’s book offers a sensible path to quitting antidepressants by carefully moving to lower doses and letting the brain readjust. He uses real-life examples of patients he helped through the process. Some of them had a hard time and had to backtrack when their withdrawal symptoms made them too sick to function, but all ultimately succeeded. The book is written for medical professionals as well as laypeople. Every sentence is documented with notes and sources, and charts lay out the facts. Occasionally, the book gets a little repetitious, but overall, it’s a valuable resource for anyone involved with antidepressants.
September 23, 2016
Joseph Glenmullen is an instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard and a practitioner. This book addresses the gap that exists because many people are prescribed antidepressants and their prescribers don't have full information about the potential difficulties of trying to wean off of antidepressants. For example, due to the short half-life of most SSRI/SNRI antidepressants (except Prozac), one should not alternate days with different doses, such as 1/2 pill one day and 1/4 pill next day, etc. Also, there is a wide spectrum of how sensitive different people are and some will need a much more gradual taper than others. He uses six example case studies to illustrate different experiences and strategies for trying to get off antidepressants. Not having full information about withdrawal causes a lot of unnecessary suffering and/or unnecessarily staying on the drug for a lot of people. The book is for both doctors and patients. On the same subject, there is a good website, survivingantidepressants dot org.
February 18, 2010
It's been about a year since I've read this, so I can't give a detailed review, but I want to point out that the title is completely misleading.
I would title this book, "If you are going to take antidepressants, do it under the guidance of a psychiatrist, and don't fuck around, because they're serious medications".
This book talks about the politics behind labels as they pertain to antidepressants. It explains how important it is not to do things like randomly stop taking an antidepressant. It explains ways that you can switch from one antidepressant to another.
This is a pro antidepressant book-- the author believes they work well for some people, but recognizes that they can work very, very differently in each person.
This is on my list of "important books on medical topics that any person would benefit from".
I would title this book, "If you are going to take antidepressants, do it under the guidance of a psychiatrist, and don't fuck around, because they're serious medications".
This book talks about the politics behind labels as they pertain to antidepressants. It explains how important it is not to do things like randomly stop taking an antidepressant. It explains ways that you can switch from one antidepressant to another.
This is a pro antidepressant book-- the author believes they work well for some people, but recognizes that they can work very, very differently in each person.
This is on my list of "important books on medical topics that any person would benefit from".
July 19, 2018
If you're on antidepressants and thinking of switching, you need this.
If you've ever thought your previous AD gave you fits to quit. this explains it.
If you've ever thought your previous AD gave you fits to quit. this explains it.
March 30, 2018
Dr. Glenmullen cites (with stunning sources) a plethora of academic research, news stories, broadcast events (stunning is the "BBC Expose"), and real life case studies to weave together a fascinating, compelling, and often quite disturbing look at the world of antidepressant pharmaceutical usage and withdrawal. Besides exposing the the disturbing trail of big pharma public relations "turnabouts," (only admitting causation when pressured, etc.), Glenmullen makes clear the symptomatic distinctions between antidepressant withdrawal and depressive relapse. (Read the last part again; that's the crux.)
Tools Offered:
Glenmullen also compassionately lays out a path of workable solutions (with tools/charts) for various tapering methods, helping you (and perhaps your provider) to find the one that works best for you.
For instance, you can print out the "Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms" here
http://www.drglenmullen.com/AS%20Appe...
Doses available, pill cutting methods, wide variation in withdrawal symptom.
Who Should Read This Book:
My broadest hope is that anyone practicing medicine would read it: Because antidepressant therapy is so pervasive.
ER doctors: Specifically so that they can recognize and treat distinct phenomenon related to withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors and PAs/NPs who prescribe or manage medications for populations taking such pharmaceuticals: For good medical care.
Patients and those who support and/or love them: Would gain many benefits and stand to feel empowered from taking the time to read this eye-opener.
Further Personal Opinion Based on Years of Experience:
A preponderance of doctors have never heard of "antidepressant addiction and withdrawal." Most doctors think it's just fine to simply stop such meds or taper quickly over 3 days. This is extremely poor advice. Especially in two cases; 1) if your med has a very short half life (which causes withdrawal symptoms to harshly act up, sometimes within only hours,) and/or 2) if you have been on SSRIs/SNRIs/NDRIs for a prolonged period of time (say, over 20 months).
Regarding antidepressant (SSRI/SNRI/NDRI) usage and withdrawal phenomenon, it has been my experience that most doctors presume themselves to be experts, when in reality, they unfortunateley have zero clue. I say this as a longtime mental health patient (who has been on over 10 different medications, not all at once!) and as a successful medical advocate for self and others.
On a personal note, I postulate that my mind/body complex became chemically habituated to these medications after being on them for a period of over 20 years (most of that time period being largely unmonitored by doctors for depressive disorder symptom relief, and or side effects of the medication); instead, they just kept prescribing out of historical repetition. Sadly, I cannot say that I was actually served for the better. Not to say all doctors are bad, uncaring, etc.
Of course they're not all that way, but in my experience, until I myself jumped in, did tons of research and became my own knowledgeable advocate, things remained rather status quo.
The community of the internet and books such as this have strengthened patient's rights and have given credibility to previously-discredited patient withdrawal ordeals (similar to the hellish one I underwent in the late 90s with Paxil withdrawal.)
Stand up to your doctor or find one who is in accordance w/ your wishes for your tapering protocol. Give them a copy of this book if you think they will esteem the work of a Harvard colleague.
If you are, at any time, intent on tapering off your antidepressant medication, I highly recommend you trust yourself, be easy on yourself, and be your own advocate during that often-difficult time. Hopefully you will find a physician who is supportive and will partner with you in this medical process.
Tools Offered:
Glenmullen also compassionately lays out a path of workable solutions (with tools/charts) for various tapering methods, helping you (and perhaps your provider) to find the one that works best for you.
For instance, you can print out the "Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms" here
http://www.drglenmullen.com/AS%20Appe...
Doses available, pill cutting methods, wide variation in withdrawal symptom.
Who Should Read This Book:
My broadest hope is that anyone practicing medicine would read it: Because antidepressant therapy is so pervasive.
ER doctors: Specifically so that they can recognize and treat distinct phenomenon related to withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors and PAs/NPs who prescribe or manage medications for populations taking such pharmaceuticals: For good medical care.
Patients and those who support and/or love them: Would gain many benefits and stand to feel empowered from taking the time to read this eye-opener.
Further Personal Opinion Based on Years of Experience:
A preponderance of doctors have never heard of "antidepressant addiction and withdrawal." Most doctors think it's just fine to simply stop such meds or taper quickly over 3 days. This is extremely poor advice. Especially in two cases; 1) if your med has a very short half life (which causes withdrawal symptoms to harshly act up, sometimes within only hours,) and/or 2) if you have been on SSRIs/SNRIs/NDRIs for a prolonged period of time (say, over 20 months).
Regarding antidepressant (SSRI/SNRI/NDRI) usage and withdrawal phenomenon, it has been my experience that most doctors presume themselves to be experts, when in reality, they unfortunateley have zero clue. I say this as a longtime mental health patient (who has been on over 10 different medications, not all at once!) and as a successful medical advocate for self and others.
On a personal note, I postulate that my mind/body complex became chemically habituated to these medications after being on them for a period of over 20 years (most of that time period being largely unmonitored by doctors for depressive disorder symptom relief, and or side effects of the medication); instead, they just kept prescribing out of historical repetition. Sadly, I cannot say that I was actually served for the better. Not to say all doctors are bad, uncaring, etc.
Of course they're not all that way, but in my experience, until I myself jumped in, did tons of research and became my own knowledgeable advocate, things remained rather status quo.
The community of the internet and books such as this have strengthened patient's rights and have given credibility to previously-discredited patient withdrawal ordeals (similar to the hellish one I underwent in the late 90s with Paxil withdrawal.)
Stand up to your doctor or find one who is in accordance w/ your wishes for your tapering protocol. Give them a copy of this book if you think they will esteem the work of a Harvard colleague.
If you are, at any time, intent on tapering off your antidepressant medication, I highly recommend you trust yourself, be easy on yourself, and be your own advocate during that often-difficult time. Hopefully you will find a physician who is supportive and will partner with you in this medical process.
March 4, 2016
All though this is disturbing at least it gets worse! The rate of antidepressant use in this country among teens & adults (people ages 12 & older) increased by almost 400% between 1988–1994 & 2005–2008. The CDC estimates that 1 in 10 in this country are taking 1 or more antidepressants, which means over 32 million people are using. What is interesting is that about 8% of persons aged 12 & over with no current depressive symptoms take antidepressant medication.
In “The Antidepressant Solution” we learn that most patients & doctors are unaware that antidepressant withdrawal can be mistaken for a return of the patient’s original psychiatric condition, leading to years of additional unnecessary treatment.
Question: Can or do most people taking antidepressants become dependent on them? Yes, & Dr. Glenmullen proves it, & demonstrates that pharmaceutical companies not only know this they hide it, & he proves that as well.
This book should be required reading for anyone taking antidepressants or prescribing them. This well-written book that explains how to discontinue the new antidepressants {SSRIs} safely, but it gives so much more.
Important tidbits: officially the pharmaceutical industry states that withdrawal from Paxil & Prozac occurred in less than 1 in 1,000 patients or .01% However it has been clearly demonstrated that these two have been shown to cause withdrawal reactions, not in .01% but in 66% for Paxil & 60% for Prozac.
From the “Afterword”: “Today’s antidepressants are most closely related to cocaine. A little over a hundred years ago, cocaine was the first prescription antidepressant of the modern era. In the late 1800's & early 1900's, cocaine was the most popular prescription medication in Europe, prescribed for everything from depression to shyness, just as today’s antidepressants are. At the turn of the century, Freud wrote three famous “cocaine papers” extolling cocaine’s benefits. It took pharmaceutical companies decades to acknowledge cocaine’s dangerous side effects, including severe withdrawal reactions and addiction.
Surprisingly, cocaine is a “reuptake inhibitor” that increases the signals of three “feel good” neurotransmitters, or chemical signals, in the brain: serotonin, dopamine, & noradrenalin, the form of adrenalin found in the brain. I say surprisingly because today’s popular antidepressants are promoted as also increasing one or more of these closely related “feel good” signals. In fact most of today’s antidepressants boost these signals by the same principle mechanism as cocaine.
If cocaine were discovered today & promoted as a new antidepressant, it would likely be marketed as a serotonin, noradrenalin, & dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or SNDRI.”
If you take an antidepressant, know someone who does, prescribe them for others, do counseling or serve as a pastor…you should, no, you need to read this book.
In “The Antidepressant Solution” we learn that most patients & doctors are unaware that antidepressant withdrawal can be mistaken for a return of the patient’s original psychiatric condition, leading to years of additional unnecessary treatment.
Question: Can or do most people taking antidepressants become dependent on them? Yes, & Dr. Glenmullen proves it, & demonstrates that pharmaceutical companies not only know this they hide it, & he proves that as well.
This book should be required reading for anyone taking antidepressants or prescribing them. This well-written book that explains how to discontinue the new antidepressants {SSRIs} safely, but it gives so much more.
Important tidbits: officially the pharmaceutical industry states that withdrawal from Paxil & Prozac occurred in less than 1 in 1,000 patients or .01% However it has been clearly demonstrated that these two have been shown to cause withdrawal reactions, not in .01% but in 66% for Paxil & 60% for Prozac.
From the “Afterword”: “Today’s antidepressants are most closely related to cocaine. A little over a hundred years ago, cocaine was the first prescription antidepressant of the modern era. In the late 1800's & early 1900's, cocaine was the most popular prescription medication in Europe, prescribed for everything from depression to shyness, just as today’s antidepressants are. At the turn of the century, Freud wrote three famous “cocaine papers” extolling cocaine’s benefits. It took pharmaceutical companies decades to acknowledge cocaine’s dangerous side effects, including severe withdrawal reactions and addiction.
Surprisingly, cocaine is a “reuptake inhibitor” that increases the signals of three “feel good” neurotransmitters, or chemical signals, in the brain: serotonin, dopamine, & noradrenalin, the form of adrenalin found in the brain. I say surprisingly because today’s popular antidepressants are promoted as also increasing one or more of these closely related “feel good” signals. In fact most of today’s antidepressants boost these signals by the same principle mechanism as cocaine.
If cocaine were discovered today & promoted as a new antidepressant, it would likely be marketed as a serotonin, noradrenalin, & dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or SNDRI.”
If you take an antidepressant, know someone who does, prescribe them for others, do counseling or serve as a pastor…you should, no, you need to read this book.
March 10, 2015
If you're coming off antidepressants (or know someone who is), this book is invaluable. It will assure you that the withdrawal symptoms you're feeling are normal and offer a tapering schedule that may alleviate some of those symptoms. It's crazy that there haven't been more discontinuation studies done on these medications, and it's worrisome that drug companies don't seem that concerned. Antidepressants can be extremely beneficial, but there are downsides too. This book isn't against antidepressants by any means. The author believes there's a time and place for them, and encourages greater education and awareness about withdrawals when that time and place has passed.
November 11, 2007
I put a "*" next to who I would recommend this book to because if you are already on antidepressants, then you must be in the right frame of mind in order to come off of them. You will know when you are ready. It may take days, weeks, months or years before you are ready to stop. I encourage you to read this book so that you will understand what will be happening to your body when you withdrawl from antidepressants. Also, you may check out my blog.
http://lifeafter30isgreat.blogspot.com/
http://lifeafter30isgreat.blogspot.com/
February 17, 2008
If you are thinking of going off your SSRI or SNRI, you need this. It contains good information as well as case histories about withdrawal from antidepressants. Many doctors do not understand how serious the withdrawal from these drugs can be, and will therefore not inform you when they are prescribed to you. Therefore, you need to educate yourself (as with any health issue). This is a good place to start.
June 18, 2012
This book is eye-opening. I didn't buy or even know about this book until I was going through my own antidepressant withdrawal. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone taking medication for depression or anxiety.
June 14, 2016
Highly recommend this for anyone trying to get off these medications or supporting someone who is. The breadth of the symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal is just insane. Yay pharmaceutical industry!
November 22, 2012
Anyone who is ever prescribed antidepressants should read this book!
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