Dear Doctor: A Doctor Answers Your Questions
Return to the main Dear Doctor page
Long-term use of antidepressants
Dear Doctor
I've been taking anti-depressants for over three years now and I'm convinced they've quite literally proven to be a lifesaver. I experienced bouts of Depression when I was younger and was prescribed different medication only for short periods of time. However, the Depression soon returned. Is it safe for me to continue long term use of anti-depressants?
DAS Supporter
Dear DAS Supporter
You raise a very important question to which the short answer is, “yes - it is safe to continue long term use of anti-depressants”.
Some people will experience Depression as a single episode of illness, but, unfortunately, for the majority of people affected by depression, it will be a recurring problem. The good news, as you have found over the past three years, is that anti-depressants are helpful in preventing new episodes of Depression as well as in treating existing episodes.
Many folk I know, including one of my own family, have, like you, found that long term use of an anti-depressant has transformed the quality of their life after years of battling with Depression.
Preventative use of an anti-depressant should be considered for anybody who has shown a tendency towards recurrent Depression. Just when the decision is taken, will be a matter for discussion between the individual and his or her medical adviser. Generally, anybody who has experienced three episodes of Depression, or two episodes in quick succession, is likely to do better on long term preventative treatment.
When working as a GP, I often reflected on the paradox that Depression is one of the most serious illnesses, causing devastating pain, and yet those affected are often reluctant to take even a course of an anti-depressant, let alone long term treatment. I found that, by contrast, folk were, almost invariably, quick to accept life-long medication for high blood pressure and yet high blood pressure causes no symptoms and is simply a risk factor for problems that may never occur.
Sadly, we still have a long way to go to overcome the stigma associated with Depression. This stigma is the major factor that stops people affected from “coming out” and admitting to themselves, let alone anyone else, that they have Depression.
Yours sincerely,
Gerry McPartlin