The most common type of antidepressant prescribed in the UK are SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – such as Prozac and Cipramil.
They are thought to work by increasing levels of serotonin – the messenger chemical for happiness – in the brain, and bear fewer side effects than most other antidepressant types.
They are generally prescribed in combination with talking therapy, and for a treatment course of six months. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych): “Long-term use of antidepressants should only be considered for people that have recurrent depression and repeated, severe relapses after stopping antidepressants.”
A report by the BBC has now found that more than a quarter of all patients on antidepressants in England – around two million people – have been taking them for five years.
Mr Buckley added: “People decide to take antidepressants for lots of different reasons. They might be one of the nearly 2 million people stuck on a waiting list for mental health treatment, or even part of the 8 million who have been deemed ineligible to get any support at all (even though they still need it).
“Whatever the complex reasons are behind more antidepressant prescriptions, 5 years is a long time to be on any medication.”
The debate over how effective the drugs actually are has been raging for years. The latest research by the University of Oxford suggests they do help many, at least in the short term. Over longer periods, they have been linked to health risks such as heart problems and diabetes, with the risks of withdrawal symptoms also going up.
The RCPsych adds: “Medicine continuously evolves, as does our knowledge of treating mental illness. As a result, the College updates its guidance, and ensures it is made accessible to stakeholders and healthcare professionals, when new evidence comes to light.
“Over the last 30 years our understanding of how different types of antidepressants work and the variation in side effects has grown considerably.
“We advise all those thinking of stopping their antidepressants to talk to their doctor first, as these medications should not be stopped abruptly.”
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