*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Stopping Or Coming Off Antidepressants

Talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants. It's important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly.

A dose of antidepressants should be slowly reduced, normally over several weeks, and sometimes longer. This varies depending on the type of antidepressant you're taking, your dose and how long you've been taking it for.

Your doctor will help you agree a plan for how to gradually reduce your dose. This is to prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off antidepressants suddenly.

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

restlessness
trouble sleeping
unsteadiness
sweating
stomach problems
feeling as if there's an electric shock in your head
changes to your mood, such as low mood or feeling irritable, anxious or confused

Withdrawal symptoms usually come on within 5 days of stopping the medicine and generally last 1 to 2 weeks. Some people have severe withdrawal symptoms that last for several months or more.

See your doctor if you get severe withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking antidepressants. Alternative approaches can be used, such as reintroducing another antidepressant from the same group and reducing the dose more slowly, or stopping completely and managing your symptoms.

Further information

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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