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Antipsychotics

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

Can I come off antipsychotics?

Some doctors may suggest that you keep taking antipsychotics for some time. This is usually to  reduce the risk of your symptoms coming back. You might feel that this is the right choice for you. 

But there may also be reasons that you want to stop taking antipsychotics. For example, you may be  experiencing unpleasant side effects. Or you may want to try other ways of coping with your mental  health. 

This page covers: 

  • How easy is it to come off antipsychotics? 
  • When should I come off antipsychotics? 
  • Will my psychotic symptoms come back? 
  • What withdrawal symptoms might I get? 

See our pages on coming off medication for information about making the decision to come off, withdrawal symptoms and finding support. 

“I feel so much better being off – less drugged up and more alive.” 

How easy is it to come off antipsychotics? 

Some people may be able to stop taking antipsychotics without any problems, while others can find this process more  difficult. If you have been taking them for some time, it can be more difficult to come off them. This  is especially true if you have been taking them for one year or longer. 

If you are considering stopping taking antipsychotics, it is worth thinking about the following: 

  • It is safest to come off slowly and gradually. You should do this by reducing your daily dose  over a period of weeks to months. The longer you have been taking a drug for, the longer it  is likely to take for you to safely come off it. 
  • Avoid stopping suddenly, if possible. If you come off too quickly you are much more likely to  have a relapse of your psychotic symptoms. It may also increase your risk of  developing tardive psychosis.
  • Get support from people you trust. Ideally this will include your doctor or psychiatrist. It also includes getting support from friends and family. You could also try peer support to find  support from others who have had similar experiences to yours. 

Sometimes, your doctor or psychiatrist may not support your decision to come off antipsychotics as they might have different treatment goals and priority than you.  This may mean they don’t offer as much help as you would like. Our page on support for coming off  psychiatric drugs has information about other ways to find support. 

Remember: whether to continue or stop taking medication is your decision, and you have the right  to change your mind. 

“I took myself off and found I could feel emotions again, which was scary, but worth it.”

When should I come off antipsychotics? 

There’s no perfect time to try coming off antipsychotics. Everyone is different, and there are many  factors that might affect your experience of coming off. 

If you are considering when to stop your medication, it might help to think about the following: 

  • What else is going on in your life right now? If you’re under lots of extra stress, will this  affect your ability to cope? For example, you may feel more stressed than usual if you are  moving houses, experiencing financial worries or concerned about your family. 
  • Would you prefer to feel relaxed and unburdened while you come off your medication? This  may help you pay close attention to how you’re feeling day to day. Or would you find it  easier to be busy while you come off, so you’re distracted by other things? 
  • Have you got a support group nearby or other people in your life who can provide any help  you may need? 
  • If you’ve tried to come off your medication before but have not been able to manage it,  what factors might have played a part then? Can you avoid or minimise them when you try  again? 

Whenever you decide to try coming off, it is best to withdraw slowly and safely. It might take a long  time, or you might find that you become comfortable on a lower dose and decide not to come off  completely. The main thing is that you find a way to manage your symptoms that works for you. 

“I came off them too fast and I wasn’t physically or mentally ready for that. [I think] it’s really  important to make sure you come off them really slowly and under the watchful eye of a  professional.” 

Will my psychotic symptoms come back? 

Medication can help to stabilise your symptoms, so it’s possible that your psychotic symptoms may  return if you stop taking it. But it’s not certain that this will happen. There are several factors that  can affect whether you will become ill again. For example: 

  • You may have had other forms of treatment while you were taking medication, such  as talking treatments and arts and creative therapies. These may have helped you find new ways to cope 
  • You may have been able to make changes in your life since your last episode which make you less prone to becoming ill again. 
  • If you try to come off your medication too quickly, you are much more likely to have a  relapse. 

Some psychiatrists believe that people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who take antipsychotics for  several years are less likely to relapse than those who don’t take antipsychotics. But not all  psychiatrists agree with this view. And a lot of people  with a diagnosis of schizophrenia also don’t find  this to be true.

“Trying to come off was exhausting – my mood swings came back with a vengeance. Felt like I’d  totally lost it again.” 

What withdrawal symptoms might I get? 

The main withdrawal symptoms associated with antipsychotics are: 

  • abnormal skin sensations 
  • aching muscles 
  • anxiety 
  • diarrhoea 
  • dizziness and vertigo 
  • feeling too hot or too cold 
  • feeling withdrawn socially 
  • headaches 
  • loss of appetite 
  • mood disturbances 
  • nausea (feeling sick) 
  • neuroleptic malignant syndrome 
  • restlessness, agitation and irritability 
  • runny nose 
  • shaking 
  • insomnia (inability to sleep) 
  • sweating 
  • tardive dyskinesia 
  • tardive psychosis 
  • vomiting (being sick). 

Unfortunately there is no evidence on how common these withdrawal symptoms are, so there’s no  way to know how likely you are to get any of them. 

“I was on a very small dose so I found it easy to stop – no side effects. My energy levels are back, but I  have noticed I’m not sleeping as much and I’m a bit edgy, so I’m monitoring myself closely using a  sleep and mood journal.”

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Can I come off antipsychotics?

Can I come off antipsychotics?

Some doctors may suggest that you keep taking antipsychotics for some time. This is usually to  reduce the risk of your symptoms coming back. You might feel that this is the right choice for you. 

But there may also be reasons that you want to stop taking antipsychotics. For example, you may be  experiencing unpleasant side effects. Or you may want to try other ways of coping with your mental  health. 

This page covers: 

  • How easy is it to come off antipsychotics? 
  • When should I come off antipsychotics? 
  • Will my psychotic symptoms come back? 
  • What withdrawal symptoms might I get? 

See our pages on coming off medication for information about making the decision to come off, withdrawal symptoms and finding support. 

"I feel so much better being off – less drugged up and more alive." 

How easy is it to come off antipsychotics? 

Some people may be able to stop taking antipsychotics without any problems, while others can find this process more  difficult. If you have been taking them for some time, it can be more difficult to come off them. This  is especially true if you have been taking them for one year or longer. 

If you are considering stopping taking antipsychotics, it is worth thinking about the following: 

  • It is safest to come off slowly and gradually. You should do this by reducing your daily dose  over a period of weeks to months. The longer you have been taking a drug for, the longer it  is likely to take for you to safely come off it. 
  • Avoid stopping suddenly, if possible. If you come off too quickly you are much more likely to  have a relapse of your psychotic symptoms. It may also increase your risk of  developing tardive psychosis.
  • Get support from people you trust. Ideally this will include your doctor or psychiatrist. It also includes getting support from friends and family. You could also try peer support to find  support from others who have had similar experiences to yours. 

Sometimes, your doctor or psychiatrist may not support your decision to come off antipsychotics as they might have different treatment goals and priority than you.  This may mean they don't offer as much help as you would like. Our page on support for coming off  psychiatric drugs has information about other ways to find support. 

Remember: whether to continue or stop taking medication is your decision, and you have the right  to change your mind. 

"I took myself off and found I could feel emotions again, which was scary, but worth it."

When should I come off antipsychotics? 

There's no perfect time to try coming off antipsychotics. Everyone is different, and there are many  factors that might affect your experience of coming off. 

If you are considering when to stop your medication, it might help to think about the following: 

  • What else is going on in your life right now? If you're under lots of extra stress, will this  affect your ability to cope? For example, you may feel more stressed than usual if you are  moving houses, experiencing financial worries or concerned about your family. 
  • Would you prefer to feel relaxed and unburdened while you come off your medication? This  may help you pay close attention to how you're feeling day to day. Or would you find it  easier to be busy while you come off, so you're distracted by other things? 
  • Have you got a support group nearby or other people in your life who can provide any help  you may need? 
  • If you've tried to come off your medication before but have not been able to manage it,  what factors might have played a part then? Can you avoid or minimise them when you try  again? 

Whenever you decide to try coming off, it is best to withdraw slowly and safely. It might take a long  time, or you might find that you become comfortable on a lower dose and decide not to come off  completely. The main thing is that you find a way to manage your symptoms that works for you. 

"I came off them too fast and I wasn't physically or mentally ready for that. [I think] it's really  important to make sure you come off them really slowly and under the watchful eye of a  professional." 

Will my psychotic symptoms come back? 

Medication can help to stabilise your symptoms, so it's possible that your psychotic symptoms may  return if you stop taking it. But it's not certain that this will happen. There are several factors that  can affect whether you will become ill again. For example: 

  • You may have had other forms of treatment while you were taking medication, such  as talking treatments and arts and creative therapies. These may have helped you find new ways to cope 
  • You may have been able to make changes in your life since your last episode which make you less prone to becoming ill again. 
  • If you try to come off your medication too quickly, you are much more likely to have a  relapse. 

Some psychiatrists believe that people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who take antipsychotics for  several years are less likely to relapse than those who don’t take antipsychotics. But not all  psychiatrists agree with this view. And a lot of people  with a diagnosis of schizophrenia also don’t find  this to be true.

"Trying to come off was exhausting – my mood swings came back with a vengeance. Felt like I'd  totally lost it again." 

What withdrawal symptoms might I get? 

The main withdrawal symptoms associated with antipsychotics are: 

  • abnormal skin sensations 
  • aching muscles 
  • anxiety 
  • diarrhoea 
  • dizziness and vertigo 
  • feeling too hot or too cold 
  • feeling withdrawn socially 
  • headaches 
  • loss of appetite 
  • mood disturbances 
  • nausea (feeling sick) 
  • neuroleptic malignant syndrome 
  • restlessness, agitation and irritability 
  • runny nose 
  • shaking 
  • insomnia (inability to sleep) 
  • sweating 
  • tardive dyskinesia 
  • tardive psychosis 
  • vomiting (being sick). 

Unfortunately there is no evidence on how common these withdrawal symptoms are, so there's no  way to know how likely you are to get any of them. 

"I was on a very small dose so I found it easy to stop – no side effects. My energy levels are back, but I  have noticed I'm not sleeping as much and I'm a bit edgy, so I'm monitoring myself closely using a  sleep and mood journal."