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Use of antidepressants

Antidepressants are a type of medicine used to treat clinical depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can only be prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist. Whilst is not known exactly how antidepressants work, it is thought that they increase levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.  Certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and noradrenaline, are linked to mood and emotion. Antidepressants may also help relieve long term pain as neurotransmitters may also affect pain signals sent by nerves.

Antidepressants need to be taken regularly for a few weeks before the benefit may be felt.  If no benefit is felt after four weeks, your doctor may increase your dose or change to a different medication.  As when taking most medication, you may initially get some mild side effects but these usually wear off quite quickly as you continue with your course of treatment. Whilst there are various types of antidepressant, SSRIs are the most widely prescribed as they cause fewer side effects.  Examples of these are Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline.

It is important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly, without talking to your doctor. They will usually recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks to help prevent any adverse reactions to coming off the medicine.

More information about medication can be found at (www.nhs.uk).

Myths around antidepressants

When it comes to treating depression, there are still many myths around taking antidepressant medication.  Below are some of the more common myths to help deepen your understanding and reduce any associated stigma. 

  • 1.  Antidepressants are just ‘happy pills’.  False.  Antidepressants do not induce happiness but work to reduce the associated symptoms of a mood disorder.
  • 2.  Antidepressants are addictive.  False. Antidepressants are not addictive in the same way that we might think about addiction.  You don’t crave antidepressant medication. However,  your body will recognise it as it absorbs it into the central nervous system to help support symptoms on a daily basis.  As your body recognises this, stopping medication without the guidance of your doctor can cause further problems.  When dosage is reduced slowly and monitored to ensure you continue to thrive without medication, it is perfectly safe to stop.  
  • 3.  You will be on antidepressants for life.  False. Whilst taking anti-depressants is not like taking a short course of antibiotics, the majority of people are not on antidepressants for life. Only some people suffering recurrent depressive episodes, may be advised to take them indefinitely.  A course of treatment usually lasts for at least six months but it is not uncommon to take antidepressants for eighteen months. Once the depression starts to lift and you feel better, under the advice of your doctor you can begin to slowly reduce the dosage and stop. 
  • 4.  Antidepressants are just a ‘quick fix’.  False. One thing antidepressants surely aren’t, is quick!  Most take a minimum of four to six weeks to reach a full therapeutic level. Whilst antidepressants can treat the symptoms of depression, they do not always address the causes which may be psychological, social or environmental issues.
  • 5.  Antidepressants change your personality.  False. Whilst your behaviours may change, your personality remains the same!
  • 6.  Antidepressants just make you forget your problems instead of dealing with them.  False. Antidepressants will not make you forget your problems. The medication will lift any depressive symptoms and allow you to think more rationally. This can be helpful when problem-solving and addressing life issues.