In honor of International Medication Safety Week (#MedSafetyWeek), SafeMeds Hellas is organizing the 1st Online Scientific Forum, under the auspices of the European University of Cyprus, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., focusing on the withdrawal syndrome that may occur when reducing or discontinuing antidepressant medication.
The forum aims to contribute to the dissemination of accurate information and to foster scientific discussion on an important issue that concerns both healthcare professionals and people receiving.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Among other things, the following critical questions will be discussed:
- How often does withdrawal syndrome occur when antidepressants are tapered or discontinued, and why might it be more common than we think?
- Do we know that antidepressants are also used to treat many non-psychiatric conditions, in some cases outside their approved indications?
- How are withdrawal symptoms recognized, and how can they be distinguished from a possible relapse of the original condition?
These topics will be explored through presentations and the experiences of researchers, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience, highlighting different scientific and personal perspectives.
A Different Approach to Scientific Discussion
The forum will follow the “flipped forum” method. The scientific presentations will be made available to participants prior to the event, so they can review them at their own pace and submit their questions in advance.
Participants’ questions will form the basis of the live discussion, fostering interaction and a meaningful exchange of views.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Mark Horowitz, Clinical Researcher in Psychiatry (King’s College London / NHS England).
Practical Information
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Start time: 3:30 p.m. (Greek time)
- Format: Online event
- Participation: Free, with mandatory pre-registration
- Registration: https://projector-web.gr/safemeds-hellas/gr/safemeds-1st-forum
Who Should Attend
The forum is intended for healthcare professionals, medical students, pharmacy, psychology, and nursing students, researchers, as well as patients, families, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about this topic in a responsible manner.
SafeMeds Hellas invites all interested parties to participate in a scientific discussion aimed at providing information, exchange knowledge, and gain a better understanding of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome.
This forum is intended solely for informational and scientific purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Any change in medication, including a reduction in dosage or discontinuation, must be made in consultation with your treating physician.
