By Have you been taking antidepressants for a long time? Did you stop taking them and then have to go back on them because of a relapse? Many people fear the effects of these continued administrations. What does science say in these situations? The following article explains.
Are antidepressants for life? The short answer is “no” . So where does the myth come from? The fact is that when it comes to mental health and depressive disorders, there are nuances that change everything. A percentage of patients who are prescribed psychotropic drugs at some point continue taking them for two years or more.
These drugs work, they generate brain changes that help get rid of a large part of the symptoms that reinforce depression itself . However, by themselves, they do not resolve the conflicts that may be the basis of this disorder.
Hence the importance of a multidisciplinary intervention, with a therapy that restores stability to the person, while drugs help in the process . Making an analogy: it is about putting a shuttle to help take off, but also about repairing the engine, giving the patient back autonomy.
People who spend more time taking antidepressants tend to have other psychological conditions and additional life problems.
Are antidepressants for life? What does science say?
When an antidepressant is first prescribed, it is usually taken for at least 4 to 6 months . After that time, the doctor will prescribe the withdrawal and plan a follow-up. This is ideal. However, each person has his or her own experience that health professionals must attend to and monitor.
On the other hand, existing antidepressants have as their main mechanism of action to increase the availability of serotonin or norepinephrine. However, studies such as those carried out by University College London in 2022 indicate that there is not enough evidence to confirm the idea that depression is due to a deficiency of these neurotransmitters.
The approach to treating depressive disorders should not be based solely on psychotropic drugs . More strategies are needed, due to the following reasons.
1. Each patient has different needs
The time that some people take the medication is too long, because the ultimate goal of the intervention is to stop the consumption. For this to happen, a series of conditions must be met. Continuing with psychotropic drugs is often discouraging, as there is no end in sight to that stage. However, it is necessary to choose the moment very well, because a relapse would sow deeper despair.
A large-scale study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that only a third of those who take these drugs recover completely within a few months. The rest improve slightly and need more time to experience their effects.
It is also common to see patients who have been taking different types of antidepressants for several years, because they cannot find the one that best suits their needs.
2. Relapses are frequent
When estimating the duration of a pharmacological intervention for depression, one must consider the threats; perhaps the most important of these is relapse. Research such as that published by the University of Minnesota highlights that 50% of patients who recover from a first depression could relapse. They add that 80% of those who suffer two relapses will be at risk of a third.
In too many cases, withdrawal is prescribed, only to be restarted later . In order to avoid the most adverse effects of relapses, it is very important that the patient is aware of this possibility and that at the time of withdrawal of the medication, he or she has a positive account, should it occur.
It is better to anticipate this emotional management when the patient is well and in good spirits than at a time of decline, when everything may seem dark. Tools such as storytelling contribute in a positive way. On the other hand, it should be noted that the propensity to relapses often has a genetic basis .
There are many people who take antidepressants for decades. The cause is constant relapses, which are often due to genetic factors, more complex personal conditions and the lack of an adequate psychological approach.
3. Factors that could lead to you spending your entire life on antidepressants
There are multiple variables that determine whether treatment with antidepressants is longer. When a patient has had two or three episodes of major depression , the most severe form, doctors may recommend continuing this treatment for a long time . And this can last for years. Other factors? We list them below:
- Periodic relapses.
- Incorrect diagnoses and ineffective therapeutic approaches.
- When there is a family history of mental illness.
- Opting only for antidepressants and not resorting to psychological therapy would make depression chronic.
- Often, the person is constantly dealing with stressful experiences. Continued challenges, setbacks and sleep problems, for example, would explain this reality.
- Sometimes, patients cannot find the antidepressant that best suits their needs. This can lead to years of trying different compounds and prescriptions.
- Other clinical comorbidities may appear along with depression. That is, if there is also another psychological problem, it is possible to take psychotropic drugs for a longer period of time.
Are there health risks if you take antidepressants for life?
Long-term prescription of antidepressants is not without risks . The same is true for many drugs taken for years. However, in recent times these drugs have fewer side effects; in addition, doctors will always try to guide you so that you can gradually withdraw them or replace them with milder ones.
In any case, we must know that antidepressants become less effective over time. This is a fact that should be considered, in order to focus on other options according to particular needs. Likewise, the University of Auckland studied the effects of prolonged administration of these drugs. They are the following:
- Fatigue.
- Suicidal ideation .
- Weight gain.
- Sexual dysfunction .
- Social disconnection.
- Risk of suffering from diabetes.
- Emotional numbness.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
- Feeling that one has become addicted.
- Limitation to feeling positive emotions.
On the other hand, each person’s medical conditions may cause this extended administration to have certain effects . But the most obvious is that depressive symptoms become more intense. This can lead the person to reinforce the idea that they must continue taking these drugs, when what is needed is another therapeutic approach.
It is necessary to tell the specialist what type of effects you notice with the antidepressants. Another psychotropic drug that better suits your needs/particularities can always be prescribed.
What can I do to prevent my consumption from becoming chronic?
As stated at the beginning, when asking whether antidepressants are for life, the answer should be “no”. But each person has their own particularities and requires an approach tailored to their needs. This can sometimes lead to someone taking this type of medication for several years.
However, if you want to avoid this situation, there is a formula: psychological therapy and lifestyle changes. And only if the doctor prescribes it, antidepressants. Because, although these medications are effective, they only address the symptom, but never the root of the problem. That is where the importance of resorting to psychologists comes in.
Currently, cognitive therapy for depression based on mindfulness is the most effective in preventing relapses . Studies, such as the one carried out by Dr. John D. Teasdale, from the University of Oxford, highlight the benefits of this approach. Do not hesitate to take the step and seek expert help.