Medication Deprescribing and Review Service 

The relationship between medication and one’s own personal wellbeing is rarely an open and shut case. It can and often does shift, especially long-term courses of treatment. It’s not uncommon for there to be an increase in dosage at certain junctures. While this may provide welcome relief, along with the space and capacity to function, overtime, side effects may arise, which undermine the stability of those same medications provided.

This can often lead to an existential questioning – one that’s grounded in very tangible experience – of whether medication is still the right option. On the other end of the spectrum, some may feel that they’ve developed coping strategies, have resolved enough trauma and feel strong enough to want to explore what it feels like to live independently.

However, for other people, long-term medication might remain an important part of maintaining stability, and we want to reiterate that both paths are valid. It is important to discern where you might be on this spectrum of requiring support, whether it is through maintaining some kind of medication, or whether it might be best to taper off entirely.

Professional deprescribing support is a specialised service which helps you explore what your options are safely. It’s designed to honour both your autonomy as well as the complexity involved in psychiatric medication-based decisions. Whether deprescribing is the right choice for you depends on your own unique clinical profile, and that is exactly what your specialist psychiatrist will help you understand.

Some of the main reasons why people might seek medication deprescribing support include:

Managing Unwanted Side Effects

• Weight gain, emotional numbness, or sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbances or persistent fatigue
• Other impacts on your daily quality of life

Life Circumstances Have Changed

• Developed stronger coping strategies through therapy
• Symptoms have stabilised with lifestyle modifications
• Want to distinguish your symptoms from medication effects

Exploring Alternative Approaches

• Natural mental health management strategies
• Therapeutic and lifestyle-focused interventions
• Holistic wellbeing approaches

Your Journey Is Individual

Deprescribing suitability depends on your unique diagnosis, symptom history, and risk profile. Your psychiatrist will assess whether this is right for you and ensure your transition is safe, strategic, and fully supported.

Our specialist medication deprescribing service has been set up to provide support for a wide range of psychiatric medications. We recognise that not only is each person on an individual journey, but each medication class also needs to be approached in a unique way, depending on the nature of the withdrawal symptoms, coupled with your unique psychological and clinical profile.

Antidepressant Tapering Support

We offer support for all classes of antidepressants, with particular expertise in SSRI withdrawal. Our medication deprescribing team is able to help you manage any challenges which might arise during the reduction period. We utilise a hyperbolic tapering technique. This means we use a method where reductions become progressively smaller to minimise the effects of discontinuing medication and to greatly support your nervous system’s readjustment to functioning without the use of medication.

Anti-Anxiety & Sleep Medication Support

Our Anti-Anxiety and Sleep medication tapering service has been designed to take into account the specific risks associated with discontinuing these classes of medications. Research has demonstrated that these medications typically require a minimum of an eight-to twelve-week tapering period due to the potential for significant withdrawal symptoms, although some individuals may also need extended timeframes.

Mood Stabiliser & Bipolar Medication Support

We are also able to offer specialist medication deprescribing support through our team of psychiatrists to help you taper off mood stabilisers and bipolar medications. Due to the nature of the conditions that these medications support, they require a specialised reduction protocol that includes close monitoring due to the risks of symptom recurrence.

Antipsychotic Medication Reduction

If you are seeking antipsychotic withdrawal support, our medication reduction service also offers specialised tapering protocols that are designed to minimise the discomfort of withdrawal and the associated risks that accompany reducing these medications. Emerging research has suggested that tapering periods of between two to three years can significantly reduce the risk of relapse compared to deprescribing protocols with much faster reduction schedules.

ADHD Medication Tapering

Our ADHD medication tapering support is available for those individuals who are looking to reduce or completely discontinue both stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications. Whilst stimulant medications generally have lower withdrawal risks compared to other psychiatric medication types, we remain committed to providing a comprehensive tapering support structure to ensure that you have the smoothest transition as you adjust to life without the ongoing support of medication

Your Specific Medication and Therapeutic History

Our team of specialist psychiatrists are experienced in deprescribing all types of psychiatric medications. During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss not only your specific medications, but also the history of your treatments as it relates to other therapies, lifestyle considerations, and other factors specific to your personal circumstances.

One of the main worries which people face when thinking about stopping antidepressant medication or psychiatric drugs are withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve read or heard accounts from other people who’ve gone on their own journey of tapering off medication, it can create biases and worst-case scenario narratives. The reality is that the transition process can cause discomfort. But these effects can be minimised with the right strategy to make the adjustment period as easy as possible on the body.

A 2024 research study which analysed 21,000 patients found that 15% of participants (about 1 in six or seven) showed withdrawal symptoms when they stopped taking their antidepressant medications. The body and brain develop these symptoms because they learn to function with the presence of these medications in the system. This is a process known as neuroadaptation. And so, just as the body adapted to the presence of these medications, it also requires time to readjust when you choose to either decrease or end your treatment.

What Withdrawal Symptoms Can Look Like

There are two main categories of withdrawal symptoms. These are physical and psychological, with the presentation, frequency and intensity, varying greatly between individuals..

Physical Symptoms May Include:

• Headaches or dizziness
• Flu-like sensations
• Digestive changes
• Sleep disturbances

Psychological Symptoms May Include:

• Increased anxiety or mood fluctuations
• Irritability or emotional sensitivity
• Difficulty concentrating
• In some cases, increased suicidal ideation, which is why close monitoring is essential

Important to Know:

Everyone’s physiology is unique. This means that no two journeys will be completely alike. When you factor in the variance in conditions, the specific medications, your dosages, how long you’ve been on your course of treatment, and other life circumstances, the timeline of tapering can become increasingly unique. While some withdrawal symptoms may resolve within 1-2 weeks with a proper tapering protocol, it’s possible that some individuals may experience symptoms for much longer periods.

Why Professional Support Matters

This is why seeking professional support for the safety tapering off of psychological medications, in some instances is not just a valuable aside, but in many instances, a real necessity. A proper tapering protocol with the right medical supervision can help greatly reduce the withdrawal symptoms that one might experience. Our slow taper approach is tailored to your unique circumstances to give your brain and body the time it needs to move through the process of neuroadaptation. This helps significantly reduce the risk and severity of discontinuing your medication.

At Private Therapy Clinic, we utilise only the very best evidence-based medication tapering protocols. We prioritise safety above anything else. We absolutely want to make sure your transition is not only fully optimised with regards to the existing medical guidelines, but is also fully in tune with you and your body’s needs.

Our Tapering Methodology

The tapering method we employ is a slow taper method, which may incorporate hyperbolic taper techniques where we feel it’s appropriate in specific cases. This is where the reduction becomes progressively smaller as you move closer to the complete discontinuation of your medication. This approach is based on the principles of maintaining linear receptor occupancy reduction in the brain—the physiological mechanism which research has shown significantly minimises withdrawal effects.

Our psychiatrists understand there is no one-size-fits-all tapering plan. Your personalised approach takes into account:

• Your medication history and current dosage
• Previous experiences with dose changes
• Your support system and living circumstances
• Your individual goals and timeline preferences
• Any other medications or health considerations

Collaborative Support Throughout

Our approach to any form of treatment is one of collaboration. No one on our team will ever push you beyond any boundaries you do not feel comfortable exploring. We will work with you to find a timeline of tapering off your medication that feels both manageable and sustainable for you. If the need arises to adjust the pace, we will support you throughout that process.

Throughout your deprescribing journey, you’ll receive:

• Regular follow-up appointments to assess how you’re managing
• Ongoing monitoring of any emerging symptoms
• Flexible adjustments to your tapering schedule when needed
• Responsive support as your needs change

Our approach is guided by current deprescribing guidelines, including the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (2024), ensuring you receive evidence-based care throughout your journey.

When you begin your journey with our medication deprescribing team, you’ll be guided through a three-phase process that has been designed to ensure that your needs are met in a way that will provide the best outcome in tapering off your medication.

Phase 1: Comprehensive Initial Assessment

The first phase of your journey will involve a thorough psychiatric medication review. Here, with the help of your psychiatrist, you’ll have the opportunity to share:

• Your complete medication history
• Your reasons for wanting to reduce or stop your medication
• Your current mental health status and stability
• Previous experiences with medication changes
• Your support system and living circumstances

This is a vital part of the evaluation process that will allow you to not only voice your reasoning for deciding to taper off medications, and provide the necessary background information, but also build a rapport with your psychiatrist.

Phase 2: Your Personalised Tapering Plan

Following your initial assessment, your psychiatrist will then develop an individualised plan that takes into account your previous medical history, and current life circumstances.

• Proposed reduction schedule tailored to your medication type and history
• Potential challenges identified in advance
• Management strategies for any withdrawal symptoms that may arise
• Flexible timeline that can be modified based on your experience

Again, we want to reaffirm that this plan is not set in stone. If and when your circumstances change, you’ll be able to inform your psychiatrist and make adjustments to your process.

Phase 3: Ongoing Support & Monitoring

Throughout the course of your deprescribing journey, you’ll be able to schedule regular follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. These sessions will provide:

• Continuous monitoring of your mental and physical wellbeing
• Assessment of any withdrawal symptoms or emerging concerns
• Real-time adjustments to your tapering plan as needed
• Professional guidance whenever you need it

The journey of deprescribing is a multi-step process that unfolds over time. Due to the nature of the tapering process and the need for careful monitoring and adjustments, this cannot be completed in a single meeting—and that’s by design. This extended timeline ensures your safety and success throughout the transition.

Our fees are structured to support you throughout your entire deprescribing journey:

Flexible Support: The frequency of follow-up appointments is entirely dependent on your needs and the complexity of your medication tapering protocol.

For detailed pricing information specific to your situation, please contact our team directly.

If you’re considering psychiatric medication reduction or would like to discuss whether deprescribing might be appropriate for you, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for support coming off medication in London or prefer online consultations, our team of experienced psychiatrists can provide the guidance you need.

If you would like to talk to someone about medication deprescribing service either in London or online, please get in touch with the Private Therapy Clinic on Whatsapp message at: +447511116565 email, chat bot or book online to arrange an appointment. Our team can answer your questions and help you take the first step toward safely reducing your psychiatric medication.

The Deprescribing Pre-Assessment Call is a brief and confidential conversation designed to help you explore whether our medication deprescribing service may be beneficial. Prior to the call, you’ll be asked to complete a screening questionnaire. During the call, a member of our team will review your responses with you to help identify your current medication situation and advise whether a full psychiatric medication review is recommended. The service costs £9.99 as a one-time payment — however, this fee is fully refunded if you go ahead with the full assessment, making the Pre-Assessment effectively free.

Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (2024) Horowitz, M. A., & Taylor, D. (2024). The Maudsley deprescribing guidelines: Antidepressants, z-drugs, and gabapentinoids. Wiley-Blackwell.

Sørensen, A., Juhl Jørgensen, K., & Munkholm, K. (2022). Clinical practice guideline recommendations on tapering and discontinuing antidepressants for depression: A systematic review. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 12. Link

van Os, J., & Groot, P. C. (2023). Outcomes of hyperbolic tapering of antidepressants: An observational study of patients in a specialist taper clinic. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 13. Link

Horowitz, M. A., & Taylor, D. (2021). A method for tapering antipsychotic treatment that may minimize the risk of relapse. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 47(4), 1116–1129. Link

Maund, E., Holvast, F., Stuart, B., et al. (2024). Incidence and nature of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 11(7), 526-538. Link