Doctors are finally learning to manage antidepressant withdrawal

Medical professionals are increasingly recognizing that stopping antidepressants, particularly SSRIs like escitalopram, can cause severe withdrawal symptoms including panic attacks, dizziness, and dissociation—often worse than the original depression. Despite being marketed as safe medications with minimal side effects, growing research and patient experiences are challenging the narrative of antidepressant harmlessness and prompting changes in how doctors manage depression treatment and medication discontinuation.