HHS pushes ahead with effort to curb antidepressant use: What physicians should know—and how to respond

By MDLinx staffFact-checked by Davi ShermanPublished July 15, 2026

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With antidepressants, we do not see a tendency for compulsive use. People don’t take them and say, ‘Oh, my gosh, that feels great. I wonder if I take two, maybe three, how that would feel?’ It’s just not happening.

—Andrew Novick, MD

The entire American medical system downplays mental health.

—Scott Thompson, PhD

The debate over antidepressants in America isn’t slowing down. In recent months, officials at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have signaled plans to develop federal guidance aimed at reducing antidepressant use, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).^[]

According to media reports, HHS officials have met with mental health professionals and other stakeholders to discuss creating recommendations for tapering or discontinuing these medications.^[]

Antidepressants have been a subject of interest for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has said that people have had a "much worse time getting off SSRIs than ... getting off heroin.”^[]

“With antidepressants, we do not see a tendency for compulsive use. People don’t take them and say, ‘Oh, my gosh, that feels great. I wonder if I take two, maybe three, how that would feel?’ It’s just not happening,” said psychiatrist Andrew Novick, MD.^[]

The effort has generated significant concern among psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and professional medical organizations, many of whom worry that broad messaging about reducing antidepressant use could discourage patients from taking medications that remain evidence-based, guideline-supported treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychiatric conditions.

The discussion raises practical questions for clinicians: How should you respond if patients arrive worried that their medication is unsafe? What if they ask to stop treatment immediately? And how can prescribers continue practicing evidence-based medicine amid shifting political messaging?

What’s happening?

Although HHS has not released finalized clinical guidance, agency officials have publicly discussed developing recommendations focused on antidepressant discontinuation and tapering and what some have described as concerns about potential overprescribing.^[]

The issue has attracted attention because it comes amid renewed public debate over psychiatric medications, with some federal leaders expressing skepticism about widespread antidepressant prescribing despite decades of clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness in appropriately selected patients.

Medical organizations have emphasized that antidepressants remain among the best-studied medications in medicine and continue to be recommended by major professional guidelines when indicated.^[]

“The entire American medical system downplays mental health,” said Scott Thompson, PhD.^[]

“The person who has diabetes would be criticized for not taking insulin,” Dr. Novick said. “We would criticize them for not doing what they are supposed to be doing to take care of themselves. Yet in some ways it’s the opposite of that with mental health.” ^[]

Patients are likely to have questions

Many physicians are already seeing headlines questioning antidepressants. That means appointments may increasingly begin with statements like:

"I heard these medications are dangerous."

"Should I stop taking my antidepressant?"

"The government says people are taking these drugs too much."

Rather than becoming defensive, experts recommend acknowledging patients’ concerns while grounding the conversation in evidence.

Helpful discussion points include:

Every medication has benefits and risks.
SSRIs have been studied extensively over several decades.
The decision to continue treatment depends on an individual’s diagnosis, symptom history, previous relapses, treatment response, and preferences.
Stopping medication suddenly can produce withdrawal symptoms and increase relapse risk.
Any medication changes should occur gradually and under medical supervision.

For many patients, reassurance that treatment decisions remain individualized can reduce anxiety created by media coverage.

How physicians can continue prescribing confidently

Amid the discussion, the most important principle hasn't changed: Clinicians should prescribe based on clinical evidence, not political headlines. For physicians treating depression or anxiety, several strategies can help.

Document the indication clearly. Specify the diagnosis, symptom burden, previous treatments, functional impairment, and rationale for pharmacotherapy.
Review treatment goals regularly. Periodically discuss whether symptoms remain controlled, whether adverse effects have emerged, and whether continuation remains appropriate.
Discuss duration early. Patients often appreciate knowing that antidepressant treatment is periodically reassessed rather than assumed to be lifelong.
Explain relapse risk. Patients who have experienced multiple depressive episodes often underestimate their likelihood of recurrence after discontinuation.
Normalize shared decision-making. Patients should know they have options—but those options should be informed by evidence rather than fear.

Good documentation also becomes increasingly important if prescribing practices receive greater scrutiny.

If a patient wants to stop an SSRI

Not every request to discontinue medication should be discouraged. Some patients have achieved sustained remission and may be reasonable candidates for tapering.

Others may have experienced intolerable adverse effects or wish to become pregnant, prompting reassessment. The key is avoiding abrupt discontinuation.

A thoughtful evaluation should include:

Current symptom control
Number of previous depressive episodes
Suicide risk
History of relapse after medication discontinuation
Psychiatric comorbidities
Patient preferences
Availability of psychotherapy and other supports

When discontinuation is appropriate, gradual tapering over weeks—or sometimes months—is generally preferred, with close follow-up for emerging withdrawal symptoms or recurrent depression.

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