Deprescribing Psychiatric Medication

If you have been on psychiatric medication for years and have started to wonder whether you still need it — or whether anyone has a plan for stopping — you are asking exactly the right question. Deprescribing is the careful, planned, supervised reduction of medication that is no longer necessary or whose risks now outweigh its benefits. It is a core focus of Dr. Anindo Mitra's practice (MBBS, MD Psychiatry, JIPMER), offered in-person in Gurugram and online across India.

Important: Deprescribing means reducing medication safely with a doctor — never stopping abruptly on your own. Suddenly stopping psychiatric medication can cause withdrawal effects and relapse. This page is educational; any change must be planned with your prescriber.

Why deprescribing matters

Across India, many patients remain on psychiatric medications for a decade or more without anyone revisiting whether they are still needed. Medications are started for good reasons, but too often no one asks the follow-up question: is this still the right treatment, at the right dose, for this person, now? Over time this leads to people taking more medication than they need, experiencing side effects, and feeling unable to stop simply because no one ever planned for it.

Dr. Mitra's practice was built partly in response to this pattern. Deprescribing here is not an afterthought — it is a planned part of care from the very first consultation, where the question of "how long, and what would stopping look like" is raised alongside starting any treatment.

Who this is for

Deprescribing may be appropriate if you:

  • Have been on one or more psychiatric medications long-term and want to know whether you still need them.
  • Are on several medications and suspect some may be unnecessary or duplicated.
  • Are troubled by side effects.
  • Have been well and stable for a sustained period and want to explore reducing, under supervision.
  • Feel your medication was started without a clear endpoint and want a proper review.

It is not appropriate to reduce medication when you are acutely unwell, in an unstable period, or without medical supervision. A good deprescribing plan begins by confirming that now is a safe time to consider it.

How structured deprescribing works

  1. A thorough review first. Before reducing anything, Dr. Mitra reviews your diagnosis, history, current medications, why each was started, and how stable you are now. See Psychiatric Medication Review.
  2. Shared decision-making. Deprescribing is a choice made together, with a clear understanding of the potential benefits and the risk of relapse.
  3. Gradual, individualised tapering. Reductions are made slowly, one step at a time, with the size and pace tailored to the medication, how long you have taken it, and how you respond. Some medications require very gradual tapering.
  4. Monitoring at each step. Symptoms, withdrawal effects, and wellbeing are tracked, and the plan is paused or adjusted as needed.
  5. A safety net. You know in advance what to watch for and what to do if symptoms return.

Medications commonly involved

  • Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs — often prescribed for sleep or anxiety and continued far longer than intended; these need particularly careful, slow tapering.
  • Antidepressants — which can cause discontinuation symptoms if reduced too quickly.
  • Antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, and sedatives — reviewed individually, especially where multiple medications have accumulated over time.

Realistic expectations

Deprescribing is not about being "anti-medication." For many people, continuing medication is the right, evidence-based choice, and Dr. Mitra will say so honestly. The goal is the minimum effective treatment — sometimes that means staying on medication, sometimes reducing it, and sometimes stopping entirely. It is done slowly, safely, and with your full understanding.

In-person in Gurugram and online across India

Deprescribing care is available in-person at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram, and online across India via Zoom or Google Meet, in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. If you are physically outside India, deprescribing guidance may need to be coordinated with a local prescriber — this can be discussed.

Safety and urgent help

Do not reduce or stop psychiatric medication on your own. If you experience a return of severe symptoms, or any thoughts of self-harm during a medication change, seek help promptly via your prescriber, emergency services, your nearest hospital, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.

Book a deprescribing consultation

See fees · about Dr. Mitra · medication review

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to stop psychiatric medication? It can be, when done gradually and under medical supervision at the right time. It is not safe to stop abruptly on your own, which can cause withdrawal effects and relapse. Deprescribing is a planned, monitored process.

Will I definitely be able to come off my medication? Not always, and that is an honest part of the conversation. For some people, continuing is the right choice. Deprescribing explores whether reducing is safe and appropriate for you — the aim is the minimum effective treatment, whatever that turns out to be.

How long does deprescribing take? It varies widely depending on the medication, dose, and how long you have taken it. Some tapers take weeks; others take many months of small, careful steps. Going slowly is what makes it safe.

Can deprescribing be done online? Yes, online across India. If you are physically outside India, guidance may need coordination with a local prescriber.

My medication was started years ago and never reviewed — can you help? Yes. A structured medication review is exactly where this starts — clarifying your diagnosis, why each medication was started, and whether it still serves you.

Is this an anti-medication practice? No. It is a rational-prescribing practice. Sometimes the right answer is to continue medication, and that will be said clearly. The goal is the safest, most effective plan for you.