While we think of withdrawal as the time when people have severe symptoms, withdrawal itself lasts much longer. I took citalopram for around 10 years in total, and it took two to quit. My psychiatric nurse explained that brain chemistry adapts around every six weeks, so the step-down process takes time. Stopping too quickly, without a taper, is what causes people to feel pretty terrible.

My process was 20 mg to 15 mg, 15 to 15 every other day, 10 mg, 10 every other day, 10 every three days, 10 every four days, 5, 5 every two days, 5 every three days, five every five days. I had one relapse where I had to increase my dosage and rebalance.

Here's an excellent article on antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. We may not have been told about it in the past because doctors just didn't know yet.

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0801/p449.html#:~:text=Typical%20symptoms%20of%20antidepressant%20discontinuation,with%20reinstitution%20of%20antidepressant%20medication.