Are too many Aussies taking antidepressants?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-05 15:36

Australia; QLD

Photo by Bruno Guerrero on Unsplash

Current research suggests antidepressants are being overprescribed, according to a perspective piece by Australian authors. The researchers say, in Australia, about one in seven people are prescribed antidepressants, with women and people aged over 65 more likely to be on them. The researchers argue that current evidence suggests antidepressants may not be effective for those with mild to moderate depression or anxiety symptoms, and it is unlikely that so many Australians fit the clinical guideline for antidepressants. The researchers suggest concerns around antidepressant withdrawal may mean people are remaining on antidepressants for too long.

Attachments

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Research Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: Medical Journal of Australia

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of Queensland

Funder: Katharine Wallis received funding from the Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to lead the RELEASE (Redressing Long-term Antidepressant Use) trial. Anna King is a member of the MRFF and NHMRC funded RELEASE trial Lived Experience Advisory Group. Joanna Moncrieff is a co-investigator on the MRFF and NHMRC funded RELEASE trial, she has been a co-investigator on a study of antidepressant discontinuation funded by the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and care Research, she receives modest royalties from books about psychiatric drugs, and she is co-chair of the Critical Psychiatry Network.

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