Researchers aimed at assessing if there is an association of antidepressant discontinuation before or during pregnancy with an elevated risk of psychiatric emergency (ascertained by psychiatric admission or emergency room visit), a proxy measure of severe exacerbation of symptoms/mental health crisis.

• By using data from Danish nationwide registers, a population-based propensity score–matched cohort study was conducted.

• Two matched cohorts were formed by matching each woman who discontinued antidepressants before pregnancy (N = 2,669) or during pregnancy (N = 5,467) to one who continued antidepressants based on propensity scores.

• A total of 76 women who discontinued antidepressants before pregnancy experienced psychiatric emergencies compared with 91 women who continued antidepressants.

• Overall findings indicated an increased risk of psychiatric emergency in correlation with antidepressant discontinuation vs continuing antidepressant treatment during pregnancy.