Most studies of antidepressants and relapse have been done in people taking the medication for less than eight months. We wanted to know whether antidepressant treatment was still effective when people have been taking the pills for several years.
Our study , published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that remaining on antidepressants long-term reduced the risk of a relapse, but many people were able to come off them safely. All the patients had a history of at least two episodes of depression, had been taking their antidepressants for a minimum of nine months, and felt well enough to consider stopping the pills. All patients, from GP surgeries in England, were interviewed by a researcher, and we excluded those who had symptoms of depression that met the criteria for a clinical diagnosis.
We recruited people who were taking the most commonly prescribed antidepressants — sertraline, citalopram and fluoxetine. These are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs that increase serotonin levels in the brain. We also included mirtazapine, a newer antidepressant that has been increasing in use in the UK. We randomly allocated people to one of two groups: half of the study participants stopped taking their antidepressant medication and half continued.
Use increased with age, in both men and women. Almost one-quarter of women aged 60 and over Antidepressant use was lowest among non-Hispanic Asian adults, and use among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults was lower than among non-Hispanic white adults.
More than 1 in 5 non-Hispanic white women took antidepressants in the past 30 days Overall and among men, antidepressant use was higher among those with some college education compared with those having a high school degree or less. Among women, the pattern was the same, although the differences did not reach significance. Over the decade from — through —, the percentage of adults using antidepressants increased. This rise in use was observed among women, but not men. Antidepressant medication: During the household interview, participants were asked if they had taken any prescription drug in the past 30 days.
Antidepressants were identified using the second level of drug ingredient categorical codes, specifically code A combination of bupropion and naltrexone, which is primarily used for obesity, overweight, and weight-related medical problems, was excluded. The survey is designed to be nationally representative of the U. Survey participants complete a household interview and visit a mobile examination center for a standardized physical examination.
NHANES — data were used to estimate the proportion of antidepressant use by demographic characteristics. Five 2-year cycles — were used to test for trends. Of the 11, adults aged 18 and over who participated in the household interview during NHANES —, 11, persons had information on prescription medication use. Interview weights, which account for the differential probabilities of selection, nonresponse, and noncoverage, were used for all analyses.
Standard errors of the percentages were estimated using Taylor series linearization, a method that incorporates the sample design and weights. Linear trends were tested using orthogonal contrast matrices. The study just looked at the numbers and didn't look at why people are taking the drugs.
But Moore expressed concern that so many people were taking habit-forming drugs, such as Valium or Xanax, long-term. Earlier this year, researchers reported the death rate from overdoses of such anxiety drugs had quadrupled in the U. In , nearly a third of the 23, people who died from prescription drug overdoses were taking benzodiazepene anxiety drugs. I agree with others here. The zombie state is what happened to a friend of mine, and it is definitely worthwhile to seek an alternative.
Great post. By the way, his situation worsened to the point of suicidal thoughts with the use of antidepressants. That is why this experience left a bitter taste in my mouth. No disrespect to those that use antidepressants, but I am not a believer in that method in the least. I feel there are other methods and techniques that are adequate enough rather than resorting to pills. I had an uncle who used antidepressants, and his situation worsened significantly.
Again, I realize all is circumstantial, but I feel there is other methods one should seek to treat depression. Also, it is interesting to note that the placebo effect is statistically as great as that of many SSRI drugs. Perhaps that points to a way forward? But that does not mean that quick fixes will really work for most people, at least not on their owm.
I think there is a better treatment to all those tensions, frustrations, bad times and ill health. What better treatment can be than this. The easiest way to laugh is by watching funny videos. The more you watch funny videos the more you can bring in smile in your face.
So start watching funny and live longer. I am amazed at how many people take these anti-depresants. I truly think they are way over perscribed and to be honest is one of our problems causing health insurance to go higher.
Hi, I think that the antidepressant meds are a bless and a curse at the same time becuse it can be a real realif some time and then you realise how much damage you did to your body. So you are right :. So you are right : thanks! We can consider this post because there showing up of addictive information about an drugs.
We must control over an medicine on human body things so we must maintain the relaxations on the world Actually now a days more peoples taking about an drugs in the worlds or not?
Eating or taking drugs just to forget problems will not help. After the effect of the medicine, here you go again and still drowning in your problem. The best way to is to pray and pray and pray. There are problems that is meant to happen because of some reasons.
Thanks for posting this. Now I met a wonderful man and am enjoying life again. Is there any connection between increased statin use and the prescription of antidepressants during this time period?
The problems in this world are way to numerous to list, and so many cannot cope. Add to this the fact that meds are way overprescribed and most people would rather take a pill than deal with the problem or fix it, and you have the drug-taking problems we see today. We need to get people off these drugs and have them instead facing their problems, rather than taking the easy option of a pill. Generally, the amount of people who take antideppressants looks too much. It really got me back on my feet.
For me it worth everything, even the many side affects. The usage of antidepressants has risen dramatically in the last 5 years. The survey also reveals that females are more likely than males to take antidepressant medication.
Definitely works for me. We agreed to do an empiric trial of Lexapro. That night I slept thru for the first time in ages and woke up feeling ready to just go ahead and live my life. I was not depressed the entire day; just mornings and sleep were hell. So for me, depression is a neurochemical imbalance — a lack of serotonin, rather like a diebetic has a lack of insulin.
Particularly, since insurance co. This is never a good news. Antidepressants we all now are addictive to some extent. Unless proper and consistent education is pushed through to the public, the increase of antidepressant use among Americans is going to be alarming than ever.
A direct correlation with the decrease in physical exercise. Studies show that regular exercise is as powerful and effective as antidepressants! Get moving and stay moving!
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