Close
Key TakeawaysAntidepressants are one of the primary treatments for depression.A new study suggests that antidepressants don’t improve quality of life in the longterm.Experts recommend that antidepressants be used in tandem with other interventions like therapy or lifestyle changes.
Key Takeaways
Antidepressants are one of the primary treatments for depression.A new study suggests that antidepressants don’t improve quality of life in the longterm.Experts recommend that antidepressants be used in tandem with other interventions like therapy or lifestyle changes.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 21 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.Andstatistics showthat only 1 in 5 people receive treatment consistent with current practice guidelines.
Still, the efficacy of antidepressants has remained controversial. And a new study suggests that, when taken in the longterm, antidepressants aren’t linked to a higher health-related quality of life.
Depression Statistics Everyone Should Know
The Research
Omar Almohammed, Study author…we still recommend that they continue using their antidepressant medications but may want to ask their doctors to provide them with other non-therapeutic interventions.
Omar Almohammed, Study author
…we still recommend that they continue using their antidepressant medications but may want to ask their doctors to provide them with other non-therapeutic interventions.
Their findings revealed that while antidepressants were linked to some improvements in mental health and social functioning, patients who used antidepressants didn’t experience better change in health-related quality of life when compared to patients who didn’t use antidepressants.
The study wasn’t able to distinguish between subtype or severity of patients' depression, so its authors are careful to note that antidepressant medication can be helpful for countless individuals.
“For these patients we still recommend that they continue using their antidepressant medications but may want to ask their doctors to provide them with other non-therapeutic interventions as this may have additional impact on their [health-related quality of life],” says study author Omar Almohammed.
Clinical psychologistRoberta Ballard, PhD, has treated patients with depression for over 20 years. She’s seen individuals that have benefited from antidepressants and relapsed when they stopped taking them, as well as patients whose recovery included no medication at all. At the same time, she’s coped with her own chronic depression throughout her life and feels that while medication can help, therapy and other such factors as diet, exercise, social support and avoiding alcohol can play a crucial role in healing.
Jessica Frick, LPCAntidepressants are sort of like fertilizer for a flower—they help it to grow, but if that’s the only thing you give it, it won’t grow.
Jessica Frick, LPC
Antidepressants are sort of like fertilizer for a flower—they help it to grow, but if that’s the only thing you give it, it won’t grow.
“I think people are focusing on one part of the study ‘OMG! Meds don’t work!’ and missing the bigger picture,” Ballard says. “Meds don’t work for everyone, and they’re not enough on their own to treat depression.“This could be because there’s so much more to mental health issues than simply the chemicals in our brain, notes licensed professional counselorJessica Frick, LPC.
“Antidepressants are sort of like fertilizer for a flower - they help it to grow, but if that’s the only thing you give it, it won’t grow,” Frick says.
In the study’s conclusion, researchers include a point related to this: “Future studies should not focus on the use of pharmacotherapy only, it should rather investigate the long-term impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, such as behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, social support sessions, education, or combined interventions, on these patients’ [health-related quality of life].”
Study Finds Interesting Link Between Inflammatory Responses and Depression
The Whole-Person Approach to Depression
PsychologistJennifer Pfeuffer, PsyD, recommends a more integrative or whole-person approach to therapeutic intervention. Each person’s body is different. Each will metabolize medication differently and develop a different tolerance, which is why medication alone is not an ideal long-term solution, she says.
“I have worked with individuals who are taking antidepressants and unsure of why, how long they’ve been taking them for, or even if they are working,” Pfeuffer says. “When coupled with other medications for mental health and/or medical conditions, it can be quite a complicated situation.”
Jennifer Pfeuffer, PsyDI have worked with individuals who are taking antidepressants and unsure of why, how long they’ve been taking them for, or even if they are working.
Jennifer Pfeuffer, PsyD
I have worked with individuals who are taking antidepressants and unsure of why, how long they’ve been taking them for, or even if they are working.
The whole-person approach emphasizes the mind-body connection, and therapy is a major factor in healing. By focusing on all aspects of a person — physical, emotional, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, etc. — clinicians are able to tailor the treatment to the individual in hopes of getting to the root cause of their depression.
“With the whole-person approach, the treatment of depression becomes more expansive and individualized, as care providers can gain a better understanding about a person’s history and current challenges associated with depression,” Pfeuffer says.
This form of healing doesn’t exclude antidepressants, either, Pfeuffer says. But in whole-person healing, practitioners work to understand how the medication impacts all systems within a person’s life as a complement to therapy and other treatment methods.
What This Means For YouAntidepressants can help treat depression, but they’re most effective when paired with therapy and other lifestyle changes. Speaking with a mental health professional is absolutely crucial to determine the right path to recovery for you.
What This Means For You
Antidepressants can help treat depression, but they’re most effective when paired with therapy and other lifestyle changes. Speaking with a mental health professional is absolutely crucial to determine the right path to recovery for you.
As Evidence For Treatment Potential Grows, So Has Psychedelic Legality
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, et al.Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prescription drug use in the United States, 2015-2016.Almohammed OA, Alsalem AA, Almangour AA, Alotaibi LH, Al Yami MS, Lai L.Antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression: Analysis of the medical expenditure panel survey from the United States.PLoS One. 2022;17(4):e0265928. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265928
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, et al.Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prescription drug use in the United States, 2015-2016.Almohammed OA, Alsalem AA, Almangour AA, Alotaibi LH, Al Yami MS, Lai L.Antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression: Analysis of the medical expenditure panel survey from the United States.PLoS One. 2022;17(4):e0265928. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265928
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, et al.Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prescription drug use in the United States, 2015-2016.Almohammed OA, Alsalem AA, Almangour AA, Alotaibi LH, Al Yami MS, Lai L.Antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression: Analysis of the medical expenditure panel survey from the United States.PLoS One. 2022;17(4):e0265928. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265928
National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, et al.Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet. 2018;391(10128):1357–1366. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prescription drug use in the United States, 2015-2016.
Almohammed OA, Alsalem AA, Almangour AA, Alotaibi LH, Al Yami MS, Lai L.Antidepressants and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with depression: Analysis of the medical expenditure panel survey from the United States.PLoS One. 2022;17(4):e0265928. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265928
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
