Can You Stop Antidepressants Safely? Tapering, Withdrawal & Advice from Dr. Ferghal ArmstrongAre you—or someone you care about—among the millions taking SSRI antidepressants for anxiety or depression? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into why Australia has one of the highest rates of antidepressant use in the world, and what that means for long-term health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.What

You’ll Learn:-What do SSRIs really do to your brain?-Why are so many people on long-term antidepressants?-How to tell the difference between SSRI withdrawal and true relapse-Are SSRIs harmful in the long run?-

The truth about the chemical imbalance theory-Side effects of long-term SSRI use: lethargy, emotional numbness, sexual dysfunction, and more-How to safely taper off antidepressants using Australia’s “Release” programMost antidepressant research focuses on short-term use, but what happens after years or even decades?

This episode reveals the missing pieces in our understanding of long-term SSRI use—and how to take back control if your prescription has turned into a habit.Whether you:-Just started taking SSRIs-Have years of experience with antidepressants-Are a doctor or mental health professional seeking evidence-based strategies-You’ll find practical tools, expert insights, and hope in this episode.

Don't let antidepressants become a silent lifetime sentence.Watch now to learn how to stop safely, avoid withdrawal symptoms, and regain control—with guidance from Addiction Specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong.

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Chapters

00:00:00 Australia’s High Antidepressant Use: An Alarming Trend

00:00:43 Why Are People Staying on Antidepressants Long Term?

00:01:41 The Habit of Long Term Use: Automatic and Unquestioned

00:02:30 Lack of Evidence for Long Term Effectiveness

00:03:18 Downsides and Side Effects of Chronic Use

00:03:54 Emotional Numbness and Lasting Sexual Dysfunction

00:04:31 Withdrawal vs. Relapse: The Challenge of Stopping

00:05:08 Tapering Difficulties and Lack of Guidelines

00:05:59 The Release Program: A New Approach to Safe Deprescribing

00:06:45 Changing the Narrative: Tools and Support for Safe Discontinuation