Sending good wishes for a happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate. As families and communities gather together, we honor the resilience, hope, and courage that this holiday represents. Chag Sameach!
Notable Gaps in Recent SSRI Withdrawal Reporting
This New YorkTimes article about how long antidepressants are used mentions common SSRI issues like weight gain and changes in blood pressure, as well as withdrawal effects like dizziness, fatigue, or “brain zaps.” But it doesn’t include withdrawal akathisia, extreme anxiety, suicidality, or suicide — symptoms that many people experience and symptoms that are often dismissed or misunderstood. It’s a real missed chance to broaden understanding and support for people dealing with SSRI withdrawal.
Read the article at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/well/mind/antidepressant-duration.html.
She Should Be 32 Today. Akathisia Stole That.
Natalie would celebrate her 32nd birthday today if not for misguided prescribing and mistreated akathisia. MISSD has worked hard for more than a decade to ensure others are better informed about critical drug risks vs possible benefit. Our Akathisia Stories podcasts shares the lived experiences of real people to help reduce medication harms.
Australia Issues Updated Safety Warning on Ozempic-Style Drugs and Suicidality
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a new safety alert for GLP-1 drugs—including Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Trulicity, and Mounjaro—highlighting potential risks of new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual mood changes.
The TGA acknowledged a complex relationship between medication effects, mental health, and rapid weight loss. The agency has received more than 70 reports of suicidal ideation and additional reports of suicide attempts or deaths among users.
MISSD believes all patients deserve truthful, transparent information about the risks of medication-induced symptoms that can lead to self-harm or suicide. Early recognition and accurate diagnosis of medication-induced akathisia and other adverse effects can save lives.
Read the full article at https://www.qoo10.co.id/en/international/50876/watchdog-updates-safety-warnings-on-ozempic-like-drugs-over-suicidal-thoughts-risk/.
Support MISSD on Giving Tuesday
Whether you support our mission with a tax-deductible gift, or by sharing our free resources with colleagues, family and friends, MISSD is grateful to have so many thoughtful people dedicated to saving lives and reducing avoidable harms. See our Constant Contact message and highlights here https://conta.cc/42p3aDG
New AI Legislation May Reduce Veteran Suicide Risk
New VA legislation encourages the use of AI tools to identify veterans at risk of suicide. For these systems to truly protect veterans–and everyone–MISSD believes they must include information about akathisia and medication-induced suicidality. Avoidable deaths can be prevented when the causes, risks and symptoms of akathisia are better understood, recognized and treated.
Read the full article at https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2025/11/20/lawmakers-va-use-ai-help-prevent-veteran-suicide.html?ESRC=eb_251201.nl.