What are SSRI Withdrawal Brain Zaps? Why they occur and how to treat them
This video unpacks why stopping or reducing an SSRI/SNRI can trigger sudden “brain zaps” and shows you how to taper safely while minimising symptoms. Dr Sanil Rege breaks down: 1. What brain zaps feel like and how they differ from other withdrawal sensations. 2. The neurobiology: ion-channel hyper-excitability, serotonin gating loss and rebound noradrenaline surges in the locus coeruleus. 3. Why quick eye or head movements trigger a zap (vestibular–cervical stretch and ephaptic firing). 4. Individualised taper plans, liquid formulations and pause-and-stabilise steps. 5. Adjuncts that may help (gabapentin/pregabalin, low-dose carbamazepine or lamotrigine, clonidine/prazosin) and red-flag signs that need medical review. 6. Whether you’re a clinician or someone navigating withdrawal yourself, you’ll leave with practical, evidence-informed tools to ride out the storm safely. 📌 Chapters 0:00 “Did my brain just short-circuit?” 0:50 What are brain zaps? 2:06 Neurobiological Mechanisms of Brain Zaps 4:47 Management of Brain Zaps 5:40 Supportive Medications for Brain Zaps 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Brain Zaps ⚡️ 1. Caused by ion-channel hyperexcitability. 2. Triggered by quick eye/head movements. 3. First described in 1924 by Lhermitte. 4. More common with short half-life SSRIs. 5. Slower tapering can reduce symptoms. 👉 Watch next: “Neuroscience of Antidepressant Withdrawal” for a deeper dive into taper science. • SSRI Withdrawal: It's Not Just About Taper... #SSRIWithdrawal #BrainZaps #AntidepressantTapering #PsychiatrySimplified #DrRege Relevant Resources: 👉Psychiatry Training: https://www.academy.psychscene.com Related Videos 👉How to Taper Antidepressants to Avoid a Withdrawal (Discontinuation) Syndrome? • How to Taper Antidepressants to Avoid a Wi... 👉SSRIs and Emotional Blunting | Mechanisms of Emotional Blunting and Treatment • SSRIs and Emotional Blunting | Mechanisms ... 🎓RESOURCES BY PSYCH SCENE: 🌐The Academy by Psych Scene: PSYCHIATRY EDUCATION REDEFINED https://academy.psychscene.com/ Revolutionary psychiatry learning. 🌐Psych Scene Hub: PSYCHIATRY TEXTBOOK OF THE FUTURE https://psychscenehub.com/ The Hub is devoted to making you a better mental health professional. Our team of academic and clinical experts bring you powerful summaries, videos and interviews in psychiatry and neurosciences. 🌐Psych Interview Online: REAL WORLD SKILLS FOR REAL WORLD SUCCESS https://www.psychinterview.com/ The Psych Interview online courses offer high-quality training to help you improve your psychiatric interview skills through self-study. 🌐Psych Scene Online: THE ONLINE COURSES TO HELP YOU SUCCEED https://ranzcpexams.psychscene.com/ Learn at your own pace with the RANZCP Written Exam prep online courses. 🌐Psych Scene: THE PSYCHIATRY TRAINING EXPERTS https://psychscene.com/ Psych Scene offers specialised training and professional development for Psychiatry Trainees, Psychiatrists, General Practitioners and Mental Health Practitioners. -- 📱SOCIALS Subscribe for weekly videos on Psychiatry and Neuroscience: Facebook: / psychscenehub Instagram: / psychiatry.excellence – 👋 LET’S CONNECT! Follow Sanil Rege on LinkedIn: / sanilrege
