Psychotropic Medication Deprescribing
Deprescribing as a Path to Inner Stability
Specialist deprescribing support focused on safety, pacing and restoring inner stability.
Many people begin psychiatric medication at a time when life feels overwhelming, unsafe or unmanageable. For some, medication offers temporary relief and support. But over time, many discover something unsettling – that staying well seems to depend on staying medicated.
At The Holistic Psychiatry Clinic, we see this differently.
We believe that inner stability is possible for everyone.
And when inner stability is restored, long-term reliance on medication often becomes unnecessary.
This belief is what led us to develop Deprescribing as a Service – not as a technical process of stopping drugs, but as a wider realignment process that supports the nervous system, the mind and the person as a whole.
Understanding our approach to deprescribing
If you’d prefer to listen rather than read, this short video explains how we approach deprescribing and who this service is designed for.
Video transcript
(00:00) So today we’re going to talk about something that’s a really personal journey for a lot of people. The idea of moving beyond long-term psychiatric medication. You know, it’s a path that many think about, but it can feel well pretty hard to navigate. It’s really a search for a different kind of well-being. So let’s dive into it.
(00:20) I mean, this is the big question, isn’t it? It’s the one so many people wrestle with. On one hand, medication can be an absolute lifeline, but on the other, it can feel like you’re tethered to it, wondering, “Is this it forever?” And that question really is at the very heart of what we do. If you’re feeling like the support you once needed might be something you’re ready to move on from, I just want you to know you’re definitely not alone.
(00:40) It’s a really important question to ask, and we’re here to help you explore what the answer could be for you. This right here, this is our core belief. We see medication as a temporary support, a bit like scaffolding, not a life sentence. Our entire approach is built on this really hopeful idea that you can rebuild genuine lasting stability from the inside out.
(01:03) So this brings us to a really crucial shift in thinking. The goal isn’t just about stopping a pill. It’s about cultivating something much much deeper and more resilient inside you. Okay, so let’s break this down. Medication can give you chemical stability. It’s that external support I mentioned holding things together. But inner stability, well, that’s different.
(01:22) That’s the strength you build from within. It comes from finding a sense of safety in your own body, learning to trust its signals and being able to regulate yourself. And that that’s the real goal here right now. If you’ve ever tried to reduce your medication before and found it just awful, please hear this.
(01:39) It was almost certainly the method that failed, not you. So many of the standard ways of tapering are just flawed. And understanding why is the first step to doing it differently. This is such a critical piece of the puzzle. Most of us and even some doctors assume that if you have the dose, you get half the effect. But for most psychiatric medications, it just doesn’t work like that.
(02:00) The relationship is what we call nonlinear. And that’s a huge reason why tapering can go so wrong. This is why the start of a taper can feel, well, deceptively easy. When you’re on a higher dose, your brain’s receptors are pretty saturated. So you could make a big drop, say from 20 millig down to 15, and your system might barely notice.
(02:19) It can give you a false sense of confidence, making you think this is going to be a breeze. And then this is where so many people hit a wall. As that dose gets lower, that same 5 mgram reduction is suddenly a massive percentage of what’s left. The effect on your nervous system is huge and you get hit with these overwhelming withdrawal symptoms. It’s not a sign of weakness.
(02:41) It’s just pharmarmacology. It’s how the drug works. So, because we understand those pitfalls, we’ve developed a much smarter, more intelligent way to do this, we’ve learned how to work with your nervous system, not against it. It’s all about respecting your body’s own pace. The method we use is called hyperbolic tapering.
(03:02) All that really means is we make reductions based on a percentage of your current dose, not just a fixed number of milligs. So, as the dose gets smaller, the reductions get smaller, too. This is absolutely key because it gives your nervous system the time it needs to gently adapt at every single stage.
(03:21) This is a massive reframe and it’s so important with our approach. Symptoms are not a sign of failure. They’re not something you just have to grit your teeth and push through. No, they are vital information. They are your body telling us when to slow down, when to hold steady, and when it’s okay to take the next small step.
(03:36) We listen to that information. It literally guides the whole process. One of the biggest fears people have is that withdrawal is the same as relapsing. But look, they are very different things. Withdrawal tends to happen pretty soon after a dose change and often includes new physical sensations.
(03:53) A relapse of the original problem tends to develop much more slowly and the symptoms feel familiar. Knowing this difference is so empowering. It helps you respond to your body with calm wisdom instead of fear. So, it’s really important you know that this whole journey is a partnership. This isn’t something we do to you. It’s something we navigate together.
(04:12) Your experience and your participation are just as important as our medical guidance. So, what does your side of the partnership look like? Well, it’s about being actively involved in your own well-being. It means being patient, so so patient with your body and with the process. It’s about learning to listen to what your body is telling you rather than trying to force a particular outcome.
(04:35) And it’s about sharing the responsibility for the decisions we make together. And from us, well, you can expect our full commitment. We provide the specialist medical oversight to create a safety first plan that is completely personalized to you. We’ll be there to review it and adjust it whenever it’s needed. We are not going to leave you to figure this out alone.
(04:53) Now, to keep everyone safe, we also have to be really clear about who this service is not for. our slow, gradual, collaborative process. It’s just not the right fit for someone who is in an acute crisis or for anyone who’s looking for a way to get off medication really quickly.
(05:11) Being honest about the timing and your own readiness is absolutely crucial. So, if this is all resonating with you, you’re probably wondering, okay, what’s the first step? We’ve made it a very deliberate and low commitment step. It’s all about exploring the options, not jumping into anything. Everything starts with what we call a triage consultation.
(05:29) And this isn’t about starting a taper that day. It’s just about having a really thorough conversation. We’ll look at your history, get a real sense of your goals, and we’ll explain exactly what a safe process looks like. And then at the end of it, we decide together if it feels like the right time to move forward. It is always a shared, informed decision.
(05:46) Just remember, recovery is absolutely possible. And that feeling of inner stability is totally within your reach. If you feel ready to just explore a safer, more supported path beyond long-term medication, this is your first step. It’s not a commitment. It’s just an opportunity to find out more.
Deprescribing is not the goal – alignment is
Reducing or stopping psychiatric medication, on its own, rarely leads to genuine wellbeing. In fact, when attempted without the right understanding and support, it can increase distress and reinforce the belief that something is “wrong” with the person.
Our approach recognises a deeper truth:
- Medication often provides chemical stability
- True wellbeing comes from inner stability
- Inner stability arises when safety, self-trust, self-regulation and presence are rebuilt
Deprescribing, in our model, is not something you “do to the body”.
It is something that unfolds as the system regains its own capacity to regulate and settle.
A supported transition – not a withdrawal experiment
Medication reduction can feel unfamiliar, not because of weakness but because the nervous system is adapting.
That is why deprescribing requires:
- Time and patience
- Careful medical guidance
- A collaborative relationship
- A shift in how mental suffering is understood
☑️ We do not rush this process.
☑️ We do not force outcomes.
We view distress as information – not a verdict on your progress. We walk alongside you as stability is rebuilt from within.
Who this service is for – and who it is not
This service is designed for people who:
- Feel ready to explore life beyond long-term medication use
- Want a safe, gradual and supported approach
- Are willing to engage actively in their own process
- Understand that recovery is a journey, not a quick fix
This service is not suitable for:
- People in acute mental health crisis
- Those seeking rapid or abrupt cessation
- Anyone looking to outsource responsibility for their wellbeing
This is a partnership, not a procedure.
You are not alone in this
Many people quietly struggle with the sense that they cannot come off medication, or that previous attempts have “failed”. Often, what failed was not the person – but the approach.
Recovery is possible.
Support is available.
And you do not have to navigate this process alone.
How we ensure safety throughout the process
Safety in deprescribing does not come from speed, strict schedules or willpower.
It comes from listening to the body and responding intelligently.
Psychiatric medication changes how the nervous system functions over time. When that support is reduced, the system needs space to re-organise. Our role is to guide this process carefully, so the body is never pushed faster than it can adapt.
We ensure safety by:
- Moving at a pace set by your system, not a fixed timetable
- Monitoring both physical and psychological responses closely
- Distinguishing withdrawal responses from relapse
- Adjusting the process as needed, without pressure or judgement
This approach respects the nervous system as adaptive and intelligent, not fragile or defective.
A calmer, more intelligent way to reduce medication
Our approach is based on what is known as gradual, proportionate reduction, often referred to clinically as hyperbolic tapering.
In simple terms:
- Reductions become smaller as doses get lower
- The nervous system is given time to settle between changes
- The goal is stability at each stage, not speed
This creates a smoother transition, allowing the body to regain its own regulatory capacity rather than being forced into abrupt change.
We do not see withdrawal symptoms as something to “push through”.
They are information.
They guide the pace.
Precision methods, guided and supported
Because standard tablet strengths are not designed for gradual reduction, safe deprescribing often requires more precise dosing methods.
Where appropriate, we may support the use of:
- Liquid formulations for accurate, small adjustments
- Carefully guided tablet dispersion or titration
- Capsule bead reduction for modified-release medications
- Specialist preparations when available
These methods are introduced thoughtfully and with clear guidance. You are not left to experiment alone.
What makes our clinical approach different
Many services focus solely on the mechanics of tapering. We focus on the person undergoing the change.
Our work integrates:
- Medical expertise and pharmacological safety
- An understanding of nervous-system adaptation
- Support for rebuilding inner stability and self-regulation
- Clear communication with your GP where appropriate
☑️ We treat distress as information — something to be listened to rather than judged.
☑️ We do not assume lifelong illness.
☑️ And we do not equate difficulty with incapacity.
Deprescribing, in our model, unfolds alongside a deeper shift in how you relate to your mind, body and experience. As inner stability strengthens, reliance on external chemical support often reduces naturally.
Understanding the difference: withdrawal vs relapse
One of the most important parts of safe deprescribing is knowing what the body is communicating. Withdrawal responses (symptoms after dose change) are often mistaken for relapse, which can lead to unnecessary fear and rushed decisions.
This simple comparison helps clarify the difference:
| Withdrawal response | Relapse of the original difficulty |
|---|---|
| Often begins soon after a dose reduction or missed dose | Usually develops gradually over weeks or months |
| May include physical sensations such as dizziness, nausea, sleep disruption or “electric” sensations | Primarily reflects emotional or psychological patterns seen before medication |
| Symptoms may feel new or unfamiliar compared to the original problem | Symptoms closely match the original presentation |
| Fluctuates and often settles with time, pacing or dose adjustment | Tends to persist or progress without intervention |
| Indicates the nervous system is re-adapting | Indicates the underlying difficulty may be re-emerging |
Take the next step – only if this feels right
Safe deprescribing is not a quick decision or a one-off instruction. It is a gradual, supported process that works best when there is readiness, patience and shared responsibility.
That is why the first step in our psychiatric medication deprescribing service is always a specialist triage consultation.
Initial deprescribing triage consultation
This extended consultation is designed to explore whether our supported deprescribing approach is appropriate for you at this stage.
During this session, we will:
- Review your psychiatric medication history and current stability
- Explore your reasons for wanting to reduce or stop medication
- Assess readiness, timing and support systems
- Discuss what safe, gradual deprescribing involves in practice
- Decide together whether to move forward
This consultation is not about committing to a taper.
It is about making an informed, shared decision.
What you can expect from us
If we agree to proceed, you can expect:
- Specialist medical oversight of psychiatric medication reduction
- A personalised, safety-first deprescribing plan
- Regular review and adjustment as needed
- Clear communication and continuity of care
- Ongoing support throughout the process
We do not offer unsupported or self-directed medication withdrawal.
Ready to explore safe deprescribing support?
If you feel ready to explore a safe, supported and medically guided approach to reducing psychiatric medication, you may book an initial triage consultation below.
This is the first step in deciding whether our psychiatric medication deprescribing service is right for you.
Deprescribing is not the end goal.
Medication reduction only becomes sustainable when something deeper has changed — when the nervous system feels safer, when self-trust has returned, and when stability no longer depends on an external support alone.
Our work focuses on that deeper realignment. Deprescribing follows naturally when the conditions for inner stability are in place.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about deprescribing psychiatric medication
Is it safe to stop psychiatric medication?
Why is it so hard to come off antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs?
How long does psychiatric medication withdrawal last?
Who is this service best suited for?
How do I know if what I’m experiencing is withdrawal or relapse?
Do you offer rapid medication tapering?
Is this service therapy or counselling?
What is the first step if I’m interested?
Clinical responsibility and scope of care
All deprescribing work at The Holistic Psychiatry Clinic is provided by appropriately qualified UK-registered medical practitioners and is conducted in line with professional standards and clinical governance requirements. Any decisions regarding psychiatric medication are made following individual assessment, shared decision-making and ongoing clinical review.
We work collaboratively with patients and, where appropriate, with their GP or other involved healthcare professionals.
Deprescribing is undertaken gradually, with safety, capacity and clinical appropriateness guiding all decisions.
This service does not provide emergency or crisis care.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page and website is provided for general guidance only. Any changes to psychiatric medication should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Taking the next step, when you’re ready
If you’ve read this page and feel grounded rather than rushed, curious rather than pressured, this may be the right time to explore whether our deprescribing approach is suitable for you.
The next step is an initial triage consultation. This is a focused, collaborative conversation where we explore your current situation, your medication history, and whether this approach is clinically appropriate at this stage.
You’ll leave with clarity — whether or not you decide to proceed.