Tools · Symptom checker
Is my symptom normal?
A clinician-reviewed symptom checker to compare your symptoms with others. First, select your antidepressant and withdrawal episodes you're experiencing. Then check how often each symptom was reported and whether it's a red flag — or not.
Is this a normal withdrawal symptom?
Choose your medication, then tick what you are experiencing. We will show whether each symptom is commonly reported during withdrawal, when it usually settles, and when to seek help. This does not replace medical advice.
Which medication are you tapering?
What symptoms are you experiencing?
Showing symptoms commonly reported during SSRI withdrawal. Select all that apply.
⚠️ It's not a substitute for medical advice. This calculator can help you visualise a tapering schedule but before making any changes to your medication plan it's necessary to consult a medical professional. Ask psychiatrist — available after you build your protocol.
Withdrawal symptom classification
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms vary in frequency, but some patterns are consistent across studies. In the largest recent meta-analysis, the most common symptom in the first 2 weeks after stopping antidepressants was dizziness, followed by nausea, vertigo, and nervousness. Older review data also show that symptoms often appear within a few days of dose reduction or stopping.
Very common symptoms
- Dizziness, light-headedness, imbalance
- Nausea
- Insomnia or disturbed sleep
Common symptoms
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Headache, flu-like feelings, sweating
- Sensory disturbances — tingling, “electric shock” sensations
Less common symptoms
- Vertigo
- Strong sleep-related changes — vivid dreams, nightmares
- Marked unsteadiness or unusual movement symptoms
Red flag symptoms
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm urges
- Mania or hypomania
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- Hallucinations or psychotic experiences
- Severe confusion, extreme agitation, or major behavioural change
The “electric shock” brain-zap sensations listed above are a well-documented discontinuation symptom, especially with short-half-life SSRIs and SNRIs.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome
There is also an antidepressant discontinuation syndrome — the clinical term for these physical and emotional changes after the dose reduction. The classic FINISH mnemonic rule summarizes the landscape of the syndrome: Flu-like symptoms, Insomnia, Nausea, Imbalance, Sensory disturbances, and Hyperarousal.
When to seek help
Your symptoms have stabilized for 1–2 weeks?
Then you may want to talk to your prescriber about reducing the dosage. Don’t reduce it simply because it’s planned in your schedule — do it only when you feel better and stable.
Brain zaps, dizziness, or nausea after a step?
Go back to your last steady dose, hold that level for at least a week, then take another small step forward — using either liquid or compounding formulation.
Mood swings lasting longer than 1 month at the same dose?
It could be withdrawal or relapse — consult your prescriber to understand the difference.
Any red flag symptoms (suicide ideation, seizures, chest pain)?
Seek help immediately, call your prescriber or find a crisis helpline. Do not wait for symptoms to settle on their own.
Use this classification as a roadmap rather than a strict plan. Before every dose reduction, wait until you feel stable after the previous step. Please discuss each next change in advance with your prescriber.
Frequently asked questions
Answers about common withdrawal symptoms, duration, and when to seek help.
Are brain zaps normal when tapering antidepressants?
Yes. Brain zaps, or brief electric shock sensations in the head, are one of the most commonly reported symptoms. Brain zaps are especially frequent with short half-life SSRIs and SNRIs such as paroxetine, venlafaxine, and duloxetine. They typically resolve within days to weeks after a reduction in dosage. If brain zaps continue beyond 2 weeks or intensify, hold current dosage and consult your prescriber.
How long do antidepressant withdrawal symptoms last?
Typically physical symptoms (like dizziness or flu-like feelings) occur within 1-7 days following a dose change and resolve in 2-4 weeks. Emotional symptoms (like anxiety, low mood, irritability) can persist longer, up to several weeks. If you experience persistent symptoms at the same dose for more than 1 month, you need to consult your prescriber.
How can I tell withdrawal from relapse?
Withdrawal symptoms usually show up quickly after a dose change. They are mostly physical, but sometimes include emotional manifestations, such as irritability or anxiety. In most cases, symptoms resolve after coming back to the previous stable dose. On the contrary, relapse typically emerges gradually over time. Relapse tends to mirror pre-treatment symptoms and does not improve with an increase in dosage. Only a qualified prescriber can tell the difference between withdrawal and relapse.
Is dizziness normal during tapering?
Yes. Dizziness, or vertigo, is the most frequently reported symptom. It typically emerges within 1-5 days after the dose reduction and resolves within 2-3 weeks. However, if you have any concern about driving due to dizziness or if you experience fainting, consider returning to your previous dose and seeking medical advice.
What withdrawal symptoms are red flags?
Symptoms that require urgent medical attention include suicidal thoughts or self-harm urges, mania or hypomania, seizures, chest pain, fainting, hallucinations or psychotic experiences, and major behavioural change. These are uncommon but very dangerous.
Should I stop tapering if I notice withdrawal symptoms?
If you notice withdrawal symptoms, don’t keep reducing the dose on schedule. Hold at the current dose and contact your prescriber. If symptoms are significant, your prescriber may advise returning to the previous stable dose and tapering more slowly. Withdrawal is usually reversible, but the taper plan should be adjusted to your symptoms.
Medically reviewed by
Last reviewed
Dr. Jason Tan
Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Director at Cygnet Health Care
UK consultant psychiatrist trained on the Maudsley Training Programme, Medical Director at Cygnet Health Care. Formerly a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust — the home of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines this calculator is built on. Advises Claro on the clinical safety of the tapering calculator and patient-facing copy.
Dr. Alex Curmi
Consultant Psychiatrist, Host of "The Thinking Mind Podcast"
London-based consultant psychiatrist and podcast host, with deep editorial focus on deprescribing antidepressants — including an interview with Dr. Mark Horowitz, lead author of the foundational hyperbolic tapering paper. Trained at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Alex writes for The Guardian on psychology and mental health. Advises Claro on patient experience, deprescribing methodology, and shared decision-making.
References cited on this page
Primary sources behind withdrawal symptom classification and guidance.
- [1]Framer A. What I have learnt from helping thousands of people taper off antidepressants and other psychotropic medications. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology 2021. doi:10.1177/2045125321991274Describes the "windows and waves" pattern of withdrawal recovery and supports patient-led pacing.
- [2]Henssler J et al. Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry 2024. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00133-0Meta-analysis of 79 studies (≈21,000 patients): pooled incidence of discontinuation symptoms ~31%; severe symptoms ~2.8%.
- [3]Davies J, Read J. A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects. Addictive Behaviors 2019. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027Systematic review: 56% of people who discontinue antidepressants experience withdrawal effects; 46% rate them as severe.
- [4]Cosci F, Chouinard G. Acute and persistent withdrawal syndromes following discontinuation of psychotropic medications. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2020. doi:10.1159/000506868Taxonomy distinguishing new withdrawal symptoms, rebound, and persistent post-withdrawal disorder; the standard framework for withdrawal vs. relapse.
- [5]Hengartner MP et al. Protracted withdrawal syndrome after stopping antidepressants: a descriptive quantitative analysis of consumer narratives. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology 2020. doi:10.1177/2045125320967183Descriptive analysis of 69 protracted withdrawal cases: median duration 79 weeks; 47% report suicidality during withdrawal.
- [6]Horowitz MA, Taylor D. Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. The Lancet Psychiatry 2019. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30032-XProposes hyperbolic dose reduction based on receptor-occupancy curves; the methodological basis of every modern taper calculator.
- [7]National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Depression in adults: treatment and management. NICE guideline [NG222]. NICE 2022. LinkUK national guideline endorsing proportional (hyperbolic) tapering and the use of liquid formulations to enable small final doses.
- [8]Royal College of Psychiatrists. Stopping antidepressants — position statement (CR225). Royal College of Psychiatrists 2020. LinkRCPsych acknowledges withdrawal can be severe and long-lasting; recommends slow, individualised tapers.
Claro mobile app
Tapering from antidepressants? You’re not alone
Claro is your AI tapering companion built with licensed psychiatrists. Log how you feel each day, get personalised plans and suggestions, spot individual mood patterns, and reach out to a clinical reviewer when you need more support. Our tapering calculator gives you the roadmap — the app walks you through it step by step.
If you're in crisis
If your depression symptoms persist, worsen, or you feel unsafe, please contact a qualified professional, your local emergency number, or a mental health helpline. Find a helpline in your location.