Subscribe to Science Friday
Roughly 1 in 10 Americans take antidepressants. The most common type is SSRIs, or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, like Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft. But what happens when you stop taking them? Studies don’t point to a single conclusion, and there’s ongoing debate among physicians and patients about the severity and significance of SSRI withdrawal symptoms.
In May, Health Secretary RFK Jr. announced a plan to curb Americans’ antidepressant use—by discouraging people from starting to take them, and encouraging current patients to stop taking them. With this topic back in the news, we’re revisiting our 2025 conversation with psychiatrists Awais Aftab and Mark Horowitz about what we do and don’t know about antidepressant withdrawal.
Donate To Science Friday
Invest in quality science journalism by making a donation to Science Friday.
Segment Guests
Awais Aftab
Dr. Awais Aftab is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University.
Mark Horowitz
Dr. Mark Horowitz is a clinical research fellow in the UK’s National Health Service and scientific co-founder of Outro Health.
Segment Transcript
The transcript is being processed. It will be available 2-3 days after this story’s publication date.
Meet the Producers and Host
About Shoshannah Buxbaum
Shoshannah Buxbaum is a producer for Science Friday. She’s particularly drawn to stories about health, psychology, and the environment. She’s a proud New Jersey native and will happily share her opinions on why the state is deserving of a little more love.
About Flora Lichtman
Flora Lichtman is a host of Science Friday. In a previous life, she lived on a research ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.