Research reveals the truth behind the use of antidepressants by women in England and Wales: a huge number of women use antidepressants for long periods without being reviewed or offered any alternatives to drugs.
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The research, conducted by Opinium LLP*, shows that a huge number of women use antidepressants for long periods without being reviewed or offered any alternatives to drugs. It shows:
- a third of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
- nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
- one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more
- one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have waited a year or more for a review.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise that antidepressants should not be used routinely as the only option offered to people for depression. For moderate or severe depression a combination of medication and high-intensity psychological intervention is recommended. Therefore the number of women who have taken antidepressants and the number who were not offered alternative or additional support poses worrying questions about the appropriateness of prescriptions. The lack of choices means:
The lack of choice means 57% of women who have taken antidepressants weren’t offered any alternatives to drugs at time of prescription.
Not only that, many women are hiding the problem. Nearly one in five (18%) women kept it a secret from their family and 10% even kept it a secret from their partner. Download the briefing Checks and choices: women and antidepressants
Source:Platform 51
