Discontinuation of Medication in Holistic Psychiatry
- Britt Ritchie
- Feb 24
- 6 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Managing medications over time can be both a blessing and a challenge. While they’re often essential for managing symptoms, sometimes they lead to unwanted side effects or stop being effective. The discontinuation of medication, sometimes called deprescribing, is a thoughtful, evidence-based process for safely reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be necessary. The goal is simple: to improve your overall health, restore balance, and ensure that every treatment you take is truly serving you.
In holistic psychiatry, this process is about healing with intention—not by abruptly removing medications, but by gradually re-evaluating what your body and mind actually need. Done correctly, the discontinuation of medication supports your body’s natural rhythm, reduces side effects, and promotes long-term well-being through an integrative, whole-person approach.
If you’ve ever wondered whether all your current medications are still necessary, this guide will walk you through the process—from evaluation and tapering to holistic support and real-life application. You’ll learn how deprescribing, when done safely, can help you feel more grounded, balanced, and empowered in your care.
Key Points
Purpose:
To optimize your treatment plan by safely reducing or stopping medications that no longer benefit you.
Safety:
Focuses on gradual tapering and monitored support, not abrupt withdrawal.
Outcome:
Fewer side effects, clearer thinking, and improved energy.
Approach:
Combines deprescribing principles with holistic psychiatry—nutrition, therapy, lifestyle, and mind-body tools—to create lasting change.
What Is the Discontinuation of Medication (Deprescribing)?
The discontinuation of medication—or deprescribing— is not about abruptly stopping medications; it’s a systematic, individualized process designed to reassess your current drug regimen and reduce or eliminate medications that no longer offer a net benefit. The goal is to maintain or improve your quality of life by minimizing unnecessary drug exposure, lowering the risk of adverse effects, and preventing harmful interactions.
Purpose:
To optimize treatment by ensuring each medication contributes positively to your health.
Safety:
Emphasizes a gradual, monitored process rather than sudden discontinuation.
Outcome:
Aims to balance effective treatment with a reduction in side effects and overall pill burden.
Why Consider the Discontinuation of Medication?
There are several reasons someone might pursue safe medication withdrawal or deprescribing under professional guidance:
Minimizing Side Effects:
Medications can sometimes cause weight gain, fatigue, or other adverse effects that diminish quality of life.
Reducing Polypharmacy:
Taking multiple medications increases the risk of drug interactions and cumulative side effects.
Improving Overall Health:
A leaner, more focused treatment plan can lead to enhanced energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
By regularly reviewing your treatment plan and understanding the role of each medication, you can work toward a regimen that better supports your health goals.
Comprehensive Evaluation: The First Step
A successful deprescribing process begins with a thorough evaluation. This involves:
Detailed Medical History and Symptom Review
Understanding the “Why”:
Every medication is prescribed for a reason. Evaluating your medical history helps clarify whether that reason still holds.
Symptom Assessment:
Identifying whether your original symptoms persist or if new issues have arisen that might be linked to medication side effects.
Diagnostic Testing
Lab Tests:
Hormonal, metabolic, and nutritional assessments provide insights into how your body is processing medications.
Personalized Data:
Test results help pinpoint imbalances or deficiencies that may be contributing to unwanted effects.
This comprehensive evaluation is essential to ensure that any changes to your medication regimen are safe and based on clear, evidence-based insights.
Crafting a Personalized Plan for the Discontinuation of Medication
Once it’s determined that a medication may no longer be beneficial, the next step is developing a personalized tapering plan. Here’s what that entails:
Gradual Dose Reduction
Avoiding Abrupt Changes:
A slow, stepwise reduction helps prevent withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms and the resurgence of the original condition.
Customized Schedules:
Tapering plans are tailored to each individual’s unique physiology and health history.
Close Monitoring
Regular Check-Ins:
Frequent consultations allow for adjustments based on how your body responds to dose reductions.
Symptom Tracking:
Maintaining a diary of changes in mood, energy, or physical symptoms is crucial for guiding the tapering process.
A carefully crafted tapering plan is vital to ensure that the discontinuation of medication is both safe and effective.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
The discontinuation of medication isn’t a one-time event—it’s a responsive process that evolves over time.
Frequent Assessments:
Regular follow-up appointments enable healthcare providers to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.
Feedback Loop:
Both the patient and provider share observations, ensuring that any adverse effects or setbacks are promptly addressed.
Flexibility:
The plan may be modified over time based on real-time feedback and clinical observations.
This ongoing monitoring guarantees that your deprescribing journey toward a reduced medication regimen is responsive and supportive.
Integrative, Holistic Support During Discontinuation
The best discontinuation of medication plan is most effective when combined with holistic health strategies. Incorporating integrative approaches can support your body and mind during the transition:
Mind-Body Techniques
Mindfulness & Meditation:
These practices reduce stress and improve mental clarity, easing the process of medication adjustments.
Therapeutic Interventions:
Approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Motivational Interviewing (MI) provide crucial emotional support.
Lifestyle Interventions
Nutrition & Supplements:
A balanced diet and targeted nutritional support can help restore and maintain optimal health.
Regular Exercise:
Physical activity boosts energy, enhances mood, and supports overall wellness.
Stress Management:
Developing effective coping strategies is essential for navigating the challenges of medication tapering.
Integrating these complementary therapies not only mitigates discontinuation symptoms but also addresses the underlying causes of your health concerns.
Challenges During the Discontinuation of Medication
While deprescribing offers many benefits, it can also present challenges that require proactive strategies:
Common Challenges
Withdrawal/Discontinuation Symptoms:
Even with gradual tapering, some patients may experience temporary discomfort or a resurgence of symptoms.
Emotional Impact:
Reducing medications can sometimes trigger anxiety or uncertainty about managing one’s condition.
Physical Adjustments:
The body may need time to adapt to a new equilibrium without certain medications.
Strategies for Overcoming Challenges
Support Systems:
Rely on both professional guidance and personal networks to navigate tough moments.
Holistic Interventions:
Complement tapering with integrative therapies to ease physical and emotional discomfort.
Patience and Flexibility:
Recognize that the process may take time and that adjustments are part of a successful journey.
By anticipating and addressing these challenges while deprescribing, patients can achieve a smoother transition and long-term health improvements.
A Personal Story: My Experience with Deprescribing
My own experience with deprescribing has deeply shaped my approach to integrative health. After experiencing postpartum depression, I began taking medications that helped stabilize my mood but came with significant side effects. I gained a considerable amount of weight and suffered from severe fatigue—so much so that at a point I thought I had narcolepsy!
Tapering off venlafaxine was not an overnight fix; it took over two years of careful, gradual dose reduction. During that time, I discovered the powerful role of holistic wellness practices. I became increasingly interested in how vitamins, supplements, dietary changes, and regular exercise could complement traditional treatments and promote overall mental health.
This personal journey has fueled my commitment to helping others navigate the complexities during the process of discontinuation of medication. I now combine clinical expertise with integrative, holistic care to empower my clients to reclaim their energy, clarity, and quality of life.
The Benefits of a Thoughtful Discontinuation Process
When executed with care, deprescribing offers a host of benefits:
Enhanced Energy and Mental Clarity:
Reducing unnecessary medications often results in improved vitality and sharper focus.
Fewer Side Effects:
Lowering the medication burden can lead to a decrease in adverse effects such as weight gain and fatigue.
Empowerment Through Personalized Care:
Being actively involved in your treatment plan fosters a sense of control and confidence.
Holistic Healing:
Integrating complementary therapies addresses the underlying causes of your symptoms, promoting long-term wellness.
These benefits highlight how a tailored deprescribing process can transform not just your treatment plan, but your entire approach to health.
You Deserve Thoughtful, Personalized Care
If you’ve ever wondered whether you really need all the medications you’re on—or felt dismissed when asking questions about side effects or alternatives—you’re not alone. Many of my clients come to me feeling overmedicated, underheard, and unsure where to turn.
I specialize in holistic, root-cause psychiatry—including safe discontinuation of medication and deprescribing when appropriate. Whether it’s simplifying your medication regimen, exploring integrative options, or understanding what your brain actually needs, we’ll make decisions together that support your long-term healing.
Want to learn more about my approach to personalized, whole-person psychiatry? Start here:
Learn more about the discontinuation of medication
Learn more about my practice
Learn more about what I treat
Explore my approach & services
You don’t need to stay stuck in a medication cycle that doesn’t feel right. There are options—and you deserve a provider who takes the time to explore them with you.
How comfortable do you feel bringing up medication changes during appointments?
Very comfortable—I feel heard
Somewhat comfortable—it depends on the topic
Uncomfortable—I worry I’ll be dismissed
I usually avoid bringing it up
IMPORTANT: While long-term pharmacological therapy remains essential for many individuals and certain psychiatric disorders, any adjustments to your medication regimen should be made only in consultation with your healthcare provider. Discontinuation of medication or simplifying your treatment plan may not be appropriate for everyone, as each case requires a tailored, case-by-case evaluation.
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