A report by Public Health England found prescriptions for drugs marketed as antidepressants have doubled in the last 10 years, and similarly high prescribing rates are likely found in the US.

“Although national guidelines tend to recommend antidepressants primarily for moderate to severe depression, research tells us that millions of people with mild depression, or understandable grief following losses, are being prescribed these drugs,” said Dr. John Read, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of East London.

It’s important to be aware that possible adverse drug effects of SSRIs include ‘suicidality’ (reported by 50%) and difficulties in withdrawing from SSRIs (reported by 59%).

If you are experiencing difficulties withdrawing from SSRIs, and/or are suffering from withdrawal akathisia, check out these online resources run by ‘experts-by-experience’, including www.letstalkwithdrawal (UK) and https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org (USA).

Read the full article at https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psychiatry-through-the-looking-glass/202009/is-your-antidepressant-effective-and-safet