If you’re considering going off your psychiatric medication, talk to your provider first. They can help you understand the risks and benefits and create a plan to make the change safely.
Many people experience temporary discontinuation symptoms when they stop taking their medication.
If you decide to go off your medication, you can explore alternative strategies, like therapy or a support group, that help you maintain your well-being without medication.
The choice to stop taking psychiatric medication is a personal one, and you may consider it for plenty of valid reasons. Maybe you’re experiencing unwanted side effects. Or perhaps you feel your medication isn’t helping. Many factors go into this decision, but you ultimately get to choose what’s best for your well-being.
You don’t have to navigate this experience alone. Your psychiatric provider can help you create a plan to safely and gradually go off your medication. From there, you can explore alternative supports that may be a better fit for your needs.
Why you might want to stop medication
Psychiatric medication affects different people in different ways. But some reasons you might want to stop taking yours include:
You’re experiencing uncomfortable or upsetting mental or physical side effects, and they aren’t getting better.
You feel emotionally “flat,” or your mood has gotten worse since starting medication.
You simply don’t like how the medication makes you feel.
You’ve been taking your medication for a while, but your mental health isn’t improving.
You’ve been taking medication for years, and you’re curious what life would be like without it.
You don’t like the idea of being on medication long term.
Your mental health has been stable for a long time, so you don’t think you need medication anymore.
Your provider — doctor, psychiatrist, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), neurologist, or otherwise — has advised you to stop taking medication.
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Challenges you may face going off medication
If you’re considering going off medication, it’s important to be aware of some of the challenges you may face. Some of the most common include provider pushback and medication discontinuation symptoms.
If your provider cautions against stopping medication, they may have some valid concerns. Research shows that most people who take psychiatric medications will go off them at some point. But when they do so without clinical guidance, their mental, emotional, and social well-being could decline.
They may also experience uncomfortable discontinuation symptoms, like:
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Sleep problems
Hot flashes
Dizziness
Mood swings
Numbness or tingling
Brain “zaps” (what feels like an electric shock to the brain)
Not everyone will have discontinuation symptoms when going off psychiatric medication. Your experience may also depend on the type of medication you’re taking and how long you’ve been taking it. However, in some cases, discontinuing psychiatric medication can be life-threatening. So please make sure to talk to your provider before making any changes.
5 tips for coming off psychiatric medication safely
If you’ve decided you want to come off of your psychiatric medication, here are some tips to help you do it safely:
Partner with your provider. Tell your provider why you’re interested in going off medication at this time. Be honest about your concerns, and let them know that you want to make this change in the safest way possible.
Learn about your medication. Different medications can cause different withdrawal symptoms. Knowing what to expect from yours can help you feel more prepared.
Take it slowly. Ask your provider for a taper schedule, if appropriate. Rather than going “cold turkey” and ceasing medication all at once, a gradual taper can help reduce discomfort.
Prepare for discontinuation symptoms. Your provider can shed some light on the discontinuation process and the symptoms you’re most likely to experience. These insights can help you take steps to make the experience more comfortable.
Revisit the conversation. If you go off your medication and end up feeling worse, even after the initial discontinuation period, let your doctor know. It’s important to remember that you can always go back on medication if you need to.
Explore alternative strategies. Psychiatric medication can be life-changing. But it isn’t right for everyone. If you decide to go off medication, consider other strategies to support your well-being. This might include going to therapy, attending a support group, exploring new social activities, and more.
A common mistake that people make when stopping medication is that they stop it ‘cold turkey.’ Sometimes this is appropriate, like when you’re on the lowest dosage of medication. However, it’s best to discuss this decision with your provider.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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You may choose to stop taking your psychiatric medication for various reasons. It’s a highly personal decision. But it’s one your provider can help you make safely. Your provider can talk to you about potential withdrawal symptoms as well as risks and benefits. And remember, you can always decide to resume your medication in the future.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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