Withdrawal Effects

• In 1996, the National Preferred Medicines Center Inc. in New Zealand, issued a report on Acute drug withdrawal, saying that withdrawal from psychoactive drugs can cause 1) rebound effects that exacerbate previous symptoms of a disease, and 2) new symptoms unrelated to the condition that had not been previously experienced by the patient. Antidepressants can create agitation, severe depression, hallucinations, aggressiveness, hypomania [abnormal excitement] and akathisia.

• Dr. John Zajecka reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry that the agitation and irritability experienced by patients withdrawing from one SSRI can cause aggressiveness and suicidal impulsivity. In Lancet, the British medical journal, Dr. Miki Bloch reported on patients who became suicidal and homicidal after stopping an antidepressant, with one man having thoughts of harming his own children.

For more information, read: Psychiatry and the Creation of Senseless Violence

Some Known Drug Side Effects

Stimulants: Adverse reactions include nervousness and toxic psychosis.

Major tranquilizers, also known as anti-psychotics, frequently cause difficulty in thinking, poor concentration, nightmares, emotional dullness, depression, and despair. They also induce Akathisia, a severe restlessness that studies show can cause agitation and psychosis.

Minor tranquilizers or benzodiazepines can cause confusion, nervousness, hallucinations, nightmares, severe depression, and extreme restlessness.

Antidepressants (tricyclics) can cause difficulty thinking, confusion, poor concentration, panic feelings, and extreme restlessness; also delusions, manic reactions, and delirium.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause anxiety and agitation, bizarre dreams, and akathisia. It is estimated that between 10% and 25% of SSRI users experience akathisia, often in conjunction with suicidal thoughts, hostility and violent behavior.

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