Awareness of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors’ Discontinuation Symptoms Among Physicians and Residents in Psychiatry and Family Medicine in Riyadh City
Naif Y. Alfrayyan, Lujain Mohammed Althagafi, Aqeel A. Almarhoon, Mohammed Saud Almubaddil, Reema Abdulaziz Alageel, Fatimah Abdullah Alrashed, Atha Abdulrhman Alghazi, Abeer Abdulrahman Alangari, Taif Madhi Alboqami, Latifah Abdulrahman AlbehairiBackground: Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADS) frequently mimics depressive relapse, rebound in anxiety, or somatic symptoms that make the patient worry more, creating significant diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. Despite the high prescription rates of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), data regarding physician awareness of ADS in Saudi Arabia remain scarce. This study assessed the awareness, clinical observations, and educational needs regarding ADS among psychiatrists and family physicians in Riyadh.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2025 to November 2025. The study population included 129 physicians (consultants, specialists, and residents) specializing in Psychiatry and Family Medicine. Data were collected using a validated online self-administered questionnaire derived from the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms (DESS) checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 129 physicians. 57.4% reported encountering patients with ADS. A significant gap in active recall was evident; only 23.9% spontaneously recalled anxiety, compared to 89.4% who recognized it when prompted. Psychiatrists were significantly more likely to report clinical encounters with ADS (75.7%) compared to family physicians (24.3%). Additionally, junior clinicians identified the symptom of insomnia more so than seniors (p=0.003), and 30% of respondents reported inconsistent patient education regarding withdrawal effects.
Conclusion: ADS is a prevalent clinical reality in Riyadh, yet physician awareness remains fragmented, particularly within primary care settings. The disparity between passive recognition and active recall highlights a critical vulnerability, necessitating targeted Continuing Medical Education (CME) to ensure safe patient management.