<p><strong>Short answer</strong><br>
Brain zaps are a colloquial term for certain symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. </p>

<p><strong>Background</strong><br>
'<strong><a href="http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms/brain-zaps.shtml" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Brain zaps</a></strong>' are associated with sudden shakes, or vibrations, tremors, jolts, electric shocks, or 'zaps' of the head and/or brain. As SydneyMaples rightfully commented, these are scientifically recognized as symptoms of </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/withdrawal-from-antidepressants" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><strong>Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome</strong>, or <strong>Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome</strong></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Withdrawal from a wide range of <a href="http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-medications-antidepressants" rel="nofollow noreferrer">antidepressants</a>, including the <a href="https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/tricyclic-antidepressants.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">tricyclic antidepressants</a> (TCAs), <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/mao_inhibitors-oral/article.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">monoamine oxidase inhibitors</a> (MAOIs) and <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825" rel="nofollow noreferrer">selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors</a> (SSRIs) can produce somatic and psychological distress, influenza-like syndromes, gastrointestinal adverse effects, arrhythmias, anxiety, sleep disturbances, movement disorders, mania or hypomania, panic attacks and delirium <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00006" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Lejoyeux <em>et al</em>., 1996)</a>.</p>

<p><sub><strong>Reference</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00006" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Lejoyeux <em>et al</em>. CNS Drugs (1996); <strong>5</strong>(4): 278–92</a></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-08-24T20:49:28.537Z
2018-07-10T06:46:41.530Z
2018-07-10T06:46:41.530Z
AliceD
<blockquote>
  <p>I don't like referring to something so unpleasant and uncomfortable by such a silly name. Is there a proper medical term for this phenomenon?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In the literature, they're referred to as <strong>shock-like paresthesias</strong> and less commonly, <strong>Lhermitte's sign</strong> (pronounced Ler-meets). </p>

<p>However, the phenomenology of Lhermitte's sign is a little bit different to brain zaps and is typically seen in multiple sclerosis.</p>

<p>From <strong><a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/026988119801200311" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The SSRI discontinuation syndrome</a></strong>:</p>

<p>$
\require{color}
\hspace{0.5cm}Sensory\text{ }abnormalities.\text{These include paraesthesia (i.e.}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{tingling) and numbness, also described with TCA discon-}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{tinuation but less prominent, and brief ’electric shock-like’}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{sensations which appear unique to SSRI and venlafaxine}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{termination (Louie et al., 1996). The shocks may be}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{experienced as ’electrical sensations’ (Rosenstock, 1996)}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{running through the head, upper body, arms or legs or as}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{intense internal sensations within the head, for example a}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{’slamming’ within the head (Mallya et al., 1993), a ’whooshing}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{noise’ or a ’rush’ one could ’almost hear’ (Berlin, 1996).}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{Sometimes they are exacerbated by movement, particularly of}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{the head, and are associated with brief bursts of dizziness}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{(Frost and Lal, 1995). Ellison’s (1993) description of bursts of}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{dizziness as a ’jolt’, ’rush’, ’shock’, or ’buzz’ also suggests an}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{overlap between shocks and dizziness.} \colorbox{yellow}{Coupland et al. (1996)}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{regarded the shocks as a severe form of paraesthesia and}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{emphasized that they were distinct from anything patients had}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{experienced before.}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{Shocks have occurred following discontinuation from}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{sertraline (Rosenstock, 1996), paroxetine (Frost and Lal,}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{1995; Dominguez and Goodnick, 1996), fluoxetine (Berlin,}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{1996) and fluvoxamine (Mallya et al., 1993).} \colorbox{yellow}{Reeves and}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{Pinkofsky (1996) reported a paroxetine discontinuation}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{reaction in which shocks were consistently elicited by neck}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{flexion. They proposed that the sensations constituted}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{Lhermitte’s sign i.e. a neurological sign that usually indicates}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{spinal cord disease.}\\
$</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-10T05:40:30.287Z
2018-07-10T08:51:24.173Z
2018-07-10T08:51:24.173Z
faustus
<p>There is an unpleasant phenomenon, colloquially known as "brain zaps".  It is generally associated with withdrawal from antidepressants, but this isn't always the trigger - I sometimes have it even though I've taken my mess that day.</p>

<p>I don't like referring to something so unpleasant and uncomfortable by such a silly name.  Is there a proper medical term for this phenomenon?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-31T06:25:58.183Z
[Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant_discontinuation_syndrome) might be what you're looking for. It is also known as SSRI withdrawal. Other colloquial (yet less-silly) terms for them would be 'head shocks' or 'electrical shocks'.
Sydney Maples
<neuroscience><abnormal-psychology><terminology><depression><psychopharmacology>
Is there a less colloquial term for the phenomenon known as "brain zaps"?
Wad Cheber
# Is there a less colloquial term for the phenomenon known as "brain zaps"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-31)

There is an unpleasant phenomenon, colloquially known as "brain zaps". It is generally associated with withdrawal from antidepressants, but this isn't always the trigger - I sometimes have it even though I've taken my mess that day.

I don't like referring to something so unpleasant and uncomfortable by such a silly name. Is there a proper medical term for this phenomenon?

**Tags:** neuroscience, abnormal-psychology, terminology, depression, psychopharmacology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: [Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant_discontinuation_syndrome) might be what you're looking for. It is also known as SSRI withdrawal. Other colloquial (yet less-silly) terms for them would be 'head shocks' or 'electrical shocks'.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-08-24. Score: 4

**Short answer**  
Brain zaps are a colloquial term for certain symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.

**Background**  
'**[Brain zaps](http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms/brain-zaps.shtml)**' are associated with sudden shakes, or vibrations, tremors, jolts, electric shocks, or 'zaps' of the head and/or brain. As SydneyMaples rightfully commented, these are scientifically recognized as symptoms of

> [**Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome**, or **Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome**](http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/withdrawal-from-antidepressants)

Withdrawal from a wide range of [antidepressants](http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-medications-antidepressants), including the [tricyclic antidepressants](https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/tricyclic-antidepressants.html) (TCAs), [monoamine oxidase inhibitors](http://www.medicinenet.com/mao_inhibitors-oral/article.htm) (MAOIs) and [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825) (SSRIs) can produce somatic and psychological distress, influenza-like syndromes, gastrointestinal adverse effects, arrhythmias, anxiety, sleep disturbances, movement disorders, mania or hypomania, panic attacks and delirium [(Lejoyeux *et al*., 1996)](https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00006).

**Reference**  
**-** [Lejoyeux *et al*. CNS Drugs (1996); **5**(4): 278–92](https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00006)


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-07-10. Score: 2

> I don't like referring to something so unpleasant and uncomfortable by such a silly name. Is there a proper medical term for this phenomenon?

In the literature, they're referred to as **shock-like paresthesias** and less commonly, **Lhermitte's sign** (pronounced Ler-meets).

However, the phenomenology of Lhermitte's sign is a little bit different to brain zaps and is typically seen in multiple sclerosis.

From **[The SSRI discontinuation syndrome](https://doi.org/10.1177/026988119801200311)**:

$
\require{color}
\hspace{0.5cm}Sensory\text{ }abnormalities.\text{These include paraesthesia (i.e.}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{tingling) and numbness, also described with TCA discon-}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{tinuation but less prominent, and brief ’electric shock-like’}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{sensations which appear unique to SSRI and venlafaxine}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{termination (Louie et al., 1996). The shocks may be}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{experienced as ’electrical sensations’ (Rosenstock, 1996)}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{running through the head, upper body, arms or legs or as}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{intense internal sensations within the head, for example a}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{’slamming’ within the head (Mallya et al., 1993), a ’whooshing}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{noise’ or a ’rush’ one could ’almost hear’ (Berlin, 1996).}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{Sometimes they are exacerbated by movement, particularly of}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{the head, and are associated with brief bursts of dizziness}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{(Frost and Lal, 1995). Ellison’s (1993) description of bursts of}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{dizziness as a ’jolt’, ’rush’, ’shock’, or ’buzz’ also suggests an}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{overlap between shocks and dizziness.} \colorbox{yellow}{Coupland et al. (1996)}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{regarded the shocks as a severe form of paraesthesia and}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{emphasized that they were distinct from anything patients had}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{experienced before.}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{Shocks have occurred following discontinuation from}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{sertraline (Rosenstock, 1996), paroxetine (Frost and Lal,}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{1995; Dominguez and Goodnick, 1996), fluoxetine (Berlin,}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\text{1996) and fluvoxamine (Mallya et al., 1993).} \colorbox{yellow}{Reeves and}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{Pinkofsky (1996) reported a paroxetine discontinuation}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{reaction in which shocks were consistently elicited by neck}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{flexion. They proposed that the sensations constituted}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{Lhermitte’s sign i.e. a neurological sign that usually indicates}\\
\hspace{0.5cm}\colorbox{yellow}{spinal cord disease.}\\
$


---

