September 20, 2005
by Mike George

People who do not inform their doctor they are coming off psychiatric drugs are more likely to succeed than those who do, according to a charity's report.

Many people also said they found their GP or psychiatrist to be "not helpful" in withdrawing from psychiatric drugs, said the report by mental health charity Mind

The report - entitled Coping With Coming Off - documents the experiences of people trying to withdraw from drugs such as antidepressants and neuroleptics.

Mind researchers found that 53% of people who tried to withdraw against the advice of their doctor or without informing their doctor succeeded. This compared to 44% who succeeded in withdrawal with the knowledge of their doctor.

The report - funded by the Department of Health - stated that people who tried to come off without telling their doctor usually did so because they feared coercion or compulsory treatment.

Mind used mental health service user consultants to carry out telephone interviews of 204 people. These were followed by 45 in depth interviews.

While 40% of patients saw their doctors as "not helpful" in coming off, a huge 94% found websites and email groups helpful.

Of the people interviewed, over half experienced unpleasant effects when coming off, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping and depression.

The report's authors said there should be more funding for services to support people coming off psychiatric drugs.

Alison Cobb, Mind's policy officer, said: "People who want to come off their drugs must have their decision respected, and be practically supported even by professionals who may not agree with them.."

Coping with coming off (£5.50 inc. p&p) is available from www.mind.org.uk

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