Archive 1995–2023

Although SSRI's are widely used and generally considered safe, an abrupt cessation of SSRI may result in a discontinuation syndrom that can mimic serious illness and be distressing and uncomfortable. The authors present a review of up-to-date knowledge concerning the incidence, clinical symptoms, pathomechanizm, risk factors and principles of prevention and treatment of SSRI's discontinuation syndrome. Authors discuss problems associated with differentiation of SSRI discontinuation symptoms from recurrence of depression or coexisting diseases and any potential consequences of failure to correctly recognize this syndrome.