Background: Discontinuation of antidepressant medication can be difficult due to withdrawal symptoms and relapse risk. Scientific evidence on the questions of who, when, and how to stop antidepressants is limited. In Amsterdam a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic was started to provide advice and guidance.
Aim: To substantiate the design of the clinic. Central questions relate to knowing which patients are referred, the background of their request, and their experiences with the outpatient clinic.
Method: The first 51 patients of the clinic were described on the basis of file research, in addition a survey was conducted into patient experiences.
Results: Half of the patients <a id="_idTextAnchor005"></a>(55%) actually started discontinuation, 39% were advised not to do so (yet). Patients at the clinic had used antidepressants for an average of 10 years, and 76% had previously attempted to stop. 21% had now successfully stopped and 25% were satisfied with a lower dose. One patient relapsed during tapering.
Conclusion: So far, patients with long-term antidepressant use and multiple quit attempts have been referred. Our experiences are aimed at helping individual patients but can also result in more knowledge about who can stop at what moment, and how this should be done.