Are Antidepressants Overprescribed? Patients’ Experiences of the Prescribing Process
Article
Read, J., Gibson, K. and Cartwright, C. 2021. Are Antidepressants Overprescribed? Patients’ Experiences of the Prescribing Process. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry.
Authors | Read, J., Gibson, K. and Cartwright, C. |
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Abstract | An online survey was completed by1829 New Zealand adults prescribed anti-depressants. Only 43% were experiencing self-reported ‘severe’ depression when first prescribed anti-depressants. Thus, most prescriptions were for depression that was self-reported as mild or moderate, despite studies suggesting that antidepressants are no more effective than placebo at these levels. GPs prescribed at lower depression levels than psychiatrists and spent less time with patients. 35% of GPs and 42% of psychiatrists reportedly gave no information about adverse effects. Almost no prescribers gave information about adverse effects in the personal and interpersonal domains, or about withdrawal effects. Closer adherence to evidence-based prescribing and to the principle of informed consent may lead to a reduction in unnecessary, ineffective, and potentially harmful prescribing. |
Journal | Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry |
ISSN | 1559-4343 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Springer Publishing Company |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Anyone |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 09 Jan 2021 |
Deposited | 11 Jan 2021 |
Funder | University of Auckland |
Copyright holder | © 2021 Springer Publishing Company |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/88x38
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Accepted author manuscript
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