Hurt to Healing HEALING 101: Safely tapering off SSRIs with Dr. Mark Horowitz
Jun 27, 2024
Join Dr. Mark Horowitz, a trainee psychiatrist and co-founder of Outro Health, as he shares his groundbreaking insights on safely tapering off SSRIs. Mark reveals his personal battle with SSRIs and the importance of hyperbolic tapering, emphasizing slow reductions to lessen withdrawal symptoms. He discusses the misconceptions of addiction, the risks associated with antidepressants, and the alternatives to medication for mental health. Listeners gain valuable tools for reclaiming their mental health journey and understand the broader implications for those prescribed psychiatric medications.
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Personal Withdrawal Crisis Sparked Research
- Mark Horowitz came off escitalopram after 13 years and experienced extreme withdrawal with daily terror and panic.
- He nearly died by suicide and realized textbook guidance was wrong, prompting his research into tapering.
Dependence Is Not Addiction
- Antidepressant problems often come from physical dependence, not addiction, so normal prescribed use causes withdrawal.
- Physical dependence is common and distinct from addictive behaviour like stealing or misuse.
Taper By Percentage, Not Fixed Amounts
- Reduce dose by about 10% of the most recent dose per month for long-term users and slow down as doses get smaller.
- Use liquid forms or milligram reductions for tiny final steps rather than fixed large tablet cuts.
