Nearly half a million more adults in England are now taking antidepressants compared with the previous year
More than 7.3 million adults in the UK take antidepressants. Their use to ease depression and anxiety has been a topic of controversy for many years.
Now, a 10-year study, a collaboration between scientists in the US and Saudi Arabia, has thrown doubt on their effectiveness once again.
The research looked at health data from patients in the US, comparing two groups: those with depression who had been given antidepressants, and those with depression who had not.
It found antidepressants were linked to better mental health to some degree, but improvement in mental and physical wellbeing in the group who took the pills was not significantly greater.
The study also found use of these medications was associated with a higher rate of relapse compared to a placebo. And patients who had therapy in tandem with antidepressants enjoyed more benefit than either route alone.
Meanwhile, the NHS has recently announced it will be prescribing physical exercise instead of initially prescribing pills. We speak to two women about their personal experience with antidepressants.
‘I WANTED TO BE ME AGAIN’
Rosie Parsons, 40, lives in Exeter with her four children. She runs her own photography business. My husband and I had been trying for children for four years when I got pregnant with triplets through intrauterine insemination (IUI), which stimulated my ovaries with hormones.
Denne historien er fra August 08, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 08, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.