Lead author of the review, GP and emeritus professor of general practice at the University of Queensland, Mieke van Driel, said the researchers compared different approaches and looked at benefits, such as successful stopping rates, and harms reported during and after stopping. Withdrawal symptoms and harms reported during stopping included insomnia, low mood, anxiety and changes to appetite, but these can also be symptoms of a return of depression.
“In a nutshell there was only very low certainty evidence on the pros and cons of each of the different approaches to stopping, making it difficult to reach any firm conclusions at this time,” van Driel said. “The key issue is that studies do not distinguish between symptoms of a return or relapse of depression and symptoms of withdrawal after stopping, and that’s really problematic.”
 One in three calls to Kids Helpline are going unanswered as the nation is in the grip of a major youth mental health crisis. Even though a one-off government funding boost allowed the free counselling service to hire an extra 85 counsellors - it still can t cope with demand. The service is dealing with 7500 contacts a week as young people struggle with anxiety, social isolation and the fallout from school closures and other COVID-19 restrictions. It comes as desperate parents are reporting a six-month wait to get their teenagers into psychiatrists. Demand is so extreme some psychiatrists are charging booking fees of $150 to manage demand.
One in three calls to Kids Helpline unanswered gympietimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gympietimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.