A recent study examining reasons for discontinuing antidepressants has shed light on the distressing physical and mental side effects experienced by users. The findings raise concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these widely prescribed psychotropic drugs.
The research, conducted jointly by experts from the United States and the United Kingdom, analysed 667 reviews posted on the popular online health forum, WebMD. The users had been taking seven common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. The most common reason cited for discontinuation was the negative side effects associated with the medications.
Mental side effects were prominently mentioned in the reviews, including symptoms such as apathy, anxiety, insomnia, loss of sexual drive, and even suicidal ideation. Surprisingly, these side effects were reported more frequently in online posts than in formal reporting systems set up by regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Lead author Su Golder, PhD, from the University of York in the U.K., emphasised the value of online drug reviews in providing additional information to government drug regulatory agencies regarding the adverse effects of SSRIs. She highlighted that collecting data from online comments can offer important supplementary insights to reporting systems.
While the primary goal of the study was to identify reasons for discontinuation, it also highlighted the potential harm associated with antidepressant use. Recent research has shown concerning trends, including an increased risk of suicide attempts among those taking antidepressants compared to placebo. Additionally, a study revealed that half of antidepressant users experienced sexual problems that could lead to worsening depression and strained relationships.
The rising usage of antidepressants over the past decade has also raised questions about their efficacy. Research indicated that the benefits of these medications over placebos were minimal, challenging the widely promoted psychiatric theory of chemical imbalances causing depression.
With approximately 45 million Americans (around one in seven) using antidepressants in 2020, and a 32% increase in users since 2006, concerns about their side effects and potential links to violence and suicide have grown. A 35% increase in suicides in the U.S. during the same period has raised further alarm.
The study’s results underscore the importance of better understanding the risks and benefits of antidepressants to help physicians and patients make informed decisions. Experts advocate for close medical supervision when discontinuing or changing the dose of these drugs due to potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) continues to advocate for mental health rights and protections, raising awareness of the risks associated with psychiatric drugs. The organisation emphasises the importance of thorough physical examinations, lab tests, and a review of current medications to identify potential underlying causes of mental and behavioural symptoms before resorting to psychiatric treatment.
