How this fits in

Despite international guidelines advising discontinuation of antidepressant medication, its long-term use continues to rise in many countries worldwide. Both professionals and patients appear reluctant to initiate discontinuation, and seem to be in need of more practical guidance to support this process. This study yields an informed selection of the topics that seem most important to discuss when considering whether to discontinue antidepressants, based on perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals. Considering a broad and balanced scope of factors before and during discontinuation may facilitate a better shared decision-making process.