Mark Horowitz

Dr. Awais Aftab, a clinical associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, and Dr. Mark Horowitz, a clinical research fellow in the UK, dive deep into the complexities of SSRI withdrawal. They discuss the lack of strong long-term data and how withdrawal symptoms can be mistaken for relapse. Mark shares his personal struggles with long-term withdrawal, highlighting gaps in clinician training. They explore effective tapering strategies and the importance of prioritizing patient care over exact prevalence rates.

Dr. Mark Horowitz, a leading clinician and researcher in antidepressant withdrawal, shares his personal journey and expertise. He discusses the crucial differences between withdrawal symptoms and relapse, emphasizing the importance of individualized tapering plans. Dr. Horowitz advocates for slower reductions in medication, challenging quick taper methodologies. He highlights the psychological challenges faced during withdrawal and the necessity for clinician support. The conversation reveals the disconnect between clinical guidelines and patient experiences, urging better communication in mental health care.

Dr Mark Horowitz, a psychiatrist with expertise in antidepressants, discusses safe deprescribing practices, challenges of long-term medication use, withdrawal effects, emotional numbing, and the importance of considering social factors in mental health treatment. He highlights the risks of abrupt discontinuation and the necessity for healthcare professionals to be well-informed about proper deprescribing techniques.

This episode is essential for millions of women who’ve been on antidepressants for years or even decades. Dr. Mark Horowitz https://www.outro.com/about/outro, a British-Australian psychiatry researcher, neuroscientist, and lead author of clinical deprescribing guidelines, offers an honest conversation about the science, marketing myths, and long-term effects of antidepressants, including emotional numbing, weight gain, disrupted sleep, and cognitive changes. Dr. Horowitz explains the difference between addiction and physical dependence, why withdrawal symptoms are often mistaken for relapse, and the evidence-based method of hyperbolic tapering. Whether you’ve been on an antidepressant for two years or twenty, you’ll leave with smart questions for your prescriber, a clear sense of your own readiness, and reassurance that tapering off slowly and carefully has a success rate of over 90%. Episode Overview: (0:00) Intro/Teaser (6:00) Midlife Misdiagnosis (11:00) How Life Events Became Medicalized and Why That Matters (18:00) Long-Term Side Effects (27:00) The Serotonin Hypothesis (31:00) Addiction vs. Physical Dependence (39:00) Withdrawal vs. Relapse: How to Tell the Difference (49:00) Hyperbolic Tapering Explained (57:00) How to Know if You're Ready to Come Off Your Antidepressant (1:10:00) What to Say to Your Doctor (1:17:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie Resources mentioned: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep461 We couldn’t do it without our sponsors: HIGHER DOSE - If you’re noticing thinning, shedding, or simply want to support scalp and hair health proactively, this is a powerful addition to your routine. Get 15% off at https://higherdose.com with code BETTER at checkout. LMNT - Rehydrate with the perfect mix of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Get a free sample pack at https://drinklmnt.com/drestima TIMELINE  - We know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER. KENETIK - You think carefully about how you fuel your body but are you fueling your brain? Learn more and try it for yourself by going to https://drinkkenetik.com/BETTER and use code BETTER for 15% off. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark Horowitz, psychiatrist and deprescribing researcher who co-wrote the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and founded Outro Health, discusses why antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs became commonplace. He explores short-term trial limits, withdrawal challenges, increased suicidality risk in younger people, medicalisation of social and hormonal distress, and safer non-drug approaches.