05/11/2026
Information on medication tapering. Depression is still enormously prevalent. It is the leading cause of disability in the world. Most people with depression do not get properly identified, diagnosed, and treated. Some statistics would say less than 1 in 5 people with depression is getting even minimally appropriate care. Additionally, our medicines are not as dramatically helpful as we wish they were in getting rid of symptoms. There is about maybe a 40% chance of a good success with a first go on an antidepressant, and then maybe a 25% to 30% chance of success with a second. A sizable number of people who struggle with depression may not derive enough benefit from a medicine, even when it is adequately dosed and taken. This is a real dilemma, because the remedy here is not to say, ‘let's just do away with medicines and stop them’. It is important to taper off of medication because there can be side effects of going "going turkey".
Additionally, as providers, we keep in mind patients’ unique circumstances; their candidacy for appropriate, evidence-based treatments, whether those are pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or device based, such as brain stimulation neuromodulation approaches, interventional psychiatry approaches, ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation; and aligning the right treatment with the right patient.
This information is provided by the Psychiatric Times. Link here to read more on progress of psychopharmacology.
If you are on an antidepressant or anxiety medications, please seek assitance with a licensed mental health psychiatrist, experienced in tapering off medication. We are here to help.
HHS targets psychiatric overprescribing; expert Joseph F. Goldberg, MD, urges careful deprescribing—stop ineffective medications and replace with evidence-based treatments.
