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Coming off psychiatric drugs

Explains issues faced when coming off medication, how to approach it, techniques for gradual reduction, possible withdrawal symptoms and how to tell the difference between withdrawal and relapse.

Useful contacts 

Mind's services

  • Helplines – our Infolines provide information and support by phone, email and text.
  • Local Minds – provide face-to-face services across England and Wales. These might be talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side – our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Battle Against Tranquillisers (BAT)

0117 9663629
bataid.org
Information and support for those coming off tranquillisers and sleeping pills.

benzo.org.uk

benzo.org.uk
Information on benzodiazepine and z-sleeping pill addiction and withdrawal, with detailed dosing schedules.

Bipolar UK

0333 323 3880
bipolaruk.org
Information and support for people affected by bipolar disorder, hypomania and mania.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

cnhc.org.uk
Lists complementary healthcare practitioners.

electronic medicines compendium (emc)

medicines.org.uk/emc
Provides patient information leaflets and summaries of drug characteristics.

Hearing Voices Network

hearing-voices.org
Information and support for people who hear voices or have other unshared perceptions, including local support groups.

Mad in America

MadinAmerica.com
Publishes articles about different aspects of psychiatric medication.

No Panic

0844 967 4848
nopanic.org.uk
Provides a helpline, step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders.

Rethink Mental Illness

0300 5000 927
rethink.org
Provides support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups.

Seroxat & SSRI User Group

seroxatusergroup.org.uk
For people who are taking or withdrawing from paroxetine (Seroxat).

Surviving Antidepressants

survivingantidepressants.org
Online peer support for people withdrawing from antidepressants.

The Icarus Project

theicarusproject.net
American project which publishes a guide to coming off psychiatric drugs.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Provides health and social care services for people with drug, alcohol and mental health problems.

This information was published in July 2016. We will revise it in 2019.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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