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. 2011 Jan;61(582):47-9.
doi: 10.3399/bjgp11X548983.

'They won't do any harm and might do some good': time to think again on the use of antidepressants?

Hugh Middleton  1 , Joanna Moncrieff
Affiliations

'They won't do any harm and might do some good': time to think again on the use of antidepressants?

Hugh Middleton et al. Br J Gen Pract. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Despite NICE guidance that should have limited it, antidepressant prescribing continues to increase. Research evidence suggests that much if not all of the observed efficacy should be attributed to complex non-specific effects rather than 'restoration of disturbed brain chemistry'. According to this view the uncertain benefits of antidepressants are unlikely to outweigh the risks, suggesting the need to explore other approaches to treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Rates of antidepressant prescribing in England: 1991 to 2009.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rates of Incapacity Benefit Claim for Mental and Behavioural Disorder 2000 to 2009.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Antidepressant prescribing.
    Nichols J. Nichols J. Br J Gen Pract. 2011 Mar;61(584):221-2. doi: 10.3399/bjgp11X561276. Br J Gen Pract. 2011. PMID: 21375909 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Antidepressant prescribing.
    Rathbone P. Rathbone P. Br J Gen Pract. 2011 Mar;61(584):221. doi: 10.3399/bjgp11X561267. Br J Gen Pract. 2011. PMID: 21375910 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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