Two million patients taking antidepressants for five years or more

An investigation has found that over a quarter of patients on antidepressants in England, around two million people, have been taking them for at least five years, despite there being limited evidence of the benefits of taking the drugs for that length of time.

Over eight million people in England are currently taking antidepressants, which are prescribed for anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and other conditions – one million more than five years previously.

The NHS currently recommends that antidepressants be taken as a treatment for more severe depression.  Exercise, lifestyle changes and talking therapy may be recommended instead of, or in combination with, the medication.

Professor Wendy Burn, former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said “Throughout my long and extensive career, I have seen people benefit from antidepressants.

“I see them working in my clinical practice, I see lives being changed by them.”

However, she added “People are staying on antidepressants longer, and we don’t really have long-term studies that support that.”

A spokesperson from The Royal College of GPs, said family doctors were “highly-trained to have frank and sensitive conversations” with patients about the risks and benefits of antidepressants.

“Amid intense workload and workforce pressures,” it said it was “increasingly difficult to offer patients the time they need within the constraints of a standard 10-minute consultation.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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