Brain Zaps during Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Withdrawal: An Overlooked Phenomenon in Psychiatry

Abstract Brain Zaps experienced during SSRI withdrawal remain to be one of the most poorly recognized phenomena in psychiatry. Regardless of the acknowledgement of SSRI discontinuation syndrome in literature, these brief electrical sensations experienced during withdrawal are still not understood well. Research emphasizes on common withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, dizziness and insomnia whereas brain zaps often go unnoticed despite their high prevalence and significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. Patients report experiencing brief electrical shock sensations coming from the head, which seemed to be triggered by stress, head or eye movements or sensory stimuli. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying brain zaps are largely unexplored, and existing management strategies are inconsistent, leading to patient distress and dismissal of symptoms by healthc are providers. This viewpoint article highlights the need for systematic research to explore the neurobiological basis of brain zaps, understand and aid patient experiences, and develoip evidence based approaches for effective management and treatment during SSRI withdrawal.