Use Anti-Depressants? You're More Likely to Suffer Relapse

Many people with chronic pain and/or chronic illness have considered taking antidepressants. For some, the antidepressants help cope with the feelings surrounding living with loss. For others, depression is another symptom of a chronic condition.

New controversial research indicates that those who take antidepressants are much more likely to suffer relapses of major depression than those who use no medication at all. The study showed that people who were not taking any medication were at a 25 per cent risk of relapse, compared to 42 per cent or higher for those who had taken and gone off an anti-depressant.

The article does not, however, indicate the risk involved of going off an antidepressant when it is needed. For some, going off of antidepressants, especially suddenly, may increase the likelihood of having suicidal thoughts, anxiety, or feelings of deep sadness, which may interfere with the ability to perform activities of daily living.

One researcher explains that "All these drugs do reduce symptoms, probably to some degree, in the short-term. The trick is what happens in the long term. Our results suggest that when you try to go off the drugs, depression will bounce back. This can leave people stuck in a cycle where they need to keep taking anti-depressants to prevent a return of symptoms." In fact, he adds that
depression may actually be a natural and beneficial -- though painful -- state in which the brain is working to cope with stress.

What does this mean for you? If you have concerns about the long-term use of anti-depressants, talk about them with your health care provider.

Source

McMaster University (2011, July 19). Patients who use anti-depressants are more likely to suffer relapse, researcher finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/07/110719121354.htm