In the past decade there has been a doubling in the number of prescriptions written for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRRIs) – the most common antidepressant. NHS research shows there are now more than 70m prescriptions dispensed in the UK in a year, the “greatest rise” of any drug in the last year.
But while the short-term side effects of taking this medication are well-known, there has been less exploration into the longer-term impact of them. In an article for Guardian Weekend magazine, Aida Edemariam spoke to people who had been taking the drugs for many years. She found that many SSRI users report blunted emotions and an impact on sexual function, with the effect lasting long after people have stopped taking pills.
Those attempting to come off these drugs also face withdrawal symptoms. This can include feeling heightened anxiety or depression, with some going back onto the drugs believing their mental health problems have returned.
That is not to say that these drugs are not helpful. They can prove life-saving in terms of helping them cope and live with mental health problems. The Guardian’s Simon Hattenstone said: “If Prozac was no longer working for me, would I stop taking it? Probably. Would I stop taking antidepressants full stop? I doubt it. I’d simply look for another super pill.”
Share your experiences
We want to hear from our readers about long-term antidepressant use. Have you been on medication for a long time and struggled to come off it? Do you want to? Do you feel these drugs are overprescribed? Should more be done to warn patients about long-term side effects before they take them? Or do you feel you would never have coped without them? Share your stories.
