American Thought Leaders What Doctors Often Don’t Tell You About Antidepressants | Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring
Oct 29, 2025
Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Taper Clinic, challenges the myth that depression stems from a chemical imbalance. He discusses how antidepressants often mask symptoms rather than address underlying issues. The conversation explores the risks and realities of using these medications, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women. Witt-Doerring emphasizes the need for careful tapering off medications to avoid severe withdrawal and raises concerns about potential links between antidepressants and violent behavior, citing real-life cases.
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Drugs Cause Effects, Not Proven Imbalances
- Antidepressants produce a consistent drug effect rather than correcting a proven chemical imbalance.
- Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring says SSRIs commonly cause emotional numbing or constriction that can feel therapeutic or masking.
Tolerance Drives Polypharmacy Escalation
- Long-term use often leads to tolerance and reduced benefit, prompting addition of more drugs.
- Witt-Doerring links tolerance-driven stacking to polypharmacy and escalating interventions like ECT or TMS.
Taper Slowly With Professional Support
- Taper medications slowly and under support to avoid severe withdrawal or sensitization.
- Witt-Doerring recommends controlled, gradual tapers because some patients can develop protracted withdrawal.
