The Royal College of Psychiatrists has changed its stance on the risk of antidepressants ALAMY

Patients on antidepressants must be weaned off them because too many are “stuck” on medication for years, leading doctors have concluded.

In a significant shift in position, the Royal College of Psychiatrists accepts it has not paid enough attention to people suffering crippling withdrawal effects such as anxiety, confusion and exhaustion when trying to come off medicines taken by one in six British adults.

Fresh guidance from the college says doctors must warn about this risk when prescribing antidepressants, GPs should encourage those who have been taking them for years to try to stop, and patients should be advised to cut doses gradually rather than going cold turkey.

Patient groups said the college’s shift could have a “huge impact” in leading to changes to NHS…