The long-term impact of antidepressants on quality of life
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2024.
While antidepressants are known to reduce depression symptoms in the short term, their long-term effects on overall quality of life are far less clear.
Recent research suggests that antidepressants may not significantly improve quality of life over time.
A long-term analysis comparing folks with depression who took antidepressants to those who did not reveal that, after two years, there is no notable difference in their quality of life.
Quality of life encompasses more than just depression symptoms; it includes factors like:
Levels of vitality: How energetic or vital one feels.
Feelings of pain: Any physical discomfort.
Limitations in activities: Restrictions in physical or social activities due to physical or emotional problems.
Overall mental health: Not just the absence of depression, but also feelings of well-being.
Study findings: no long-term benefit?
The research analyzed 10 years of data from the United States’ Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), which annually diagnoses over 17 million people with depression. Nearly two-thirds (58%) of these individuals received antidepressant medication.
Results indicated that those taking antidepressants experienced small increases in the mental aspects of their quality of life. However, those who did not take antidepressants also saw similar improvements, suggesting that time alone may contribute to these benefits.
The study’s authors noted:
“Although we still need our patients with depression to continue using their antidepressant medications, long-term studies evaluating the actual impact for pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on these patients’ quality of life is needed.
With that being said, the role of cognitive and behavioral interventions on the long-term management of depression needs to be further evaluated in an effort to improve the ultimate goal of care for these patients; improving their overall quality of life.”
Side Effects of Antidepressants
While antidepressants can reduce depression symptoms in the short term, they come with considerable side effects, especially SSRIs. Common side effects include:
1 in 5 reports profuse sweating, daytime sleepiness, weight gain, and dry mouth.
1 in 4 experience sexual problems.
1 in 10 suffer from nausea, twitching, constipation, dizziness, muscle spasms, or restlessness.
These drawbacks must be weighed against the benefits. Although many people benefit in the short term and tolerate the side effects, research suggests that, as Im mentioned in a previous blog post, antidepressants should be prescribed less frequently and for shorter durations.
Additionally, problems related to discontinuing antidepressants, particularly after long-term use, are not well acknowledged or understood. For those with mild to moderate depression, the potential risks of taking antidepressants may outweigh the benefits.
Final thoughts
In summary, while antidepressants can provide short-term relief from depression symptoms, their long-term impact on quality of life is questionable.
It might seem obvious that further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for depression.
But that horse has long since fled the barn. Big Pharma is calling the shots.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Langley, C., Armand, S., Luo, Q., Savulich, G., Segerberg, T., Søndergaard, A., Pedersen, E. B., Svart, N., Johansen, A., Borgsted, C., Cardinal, R. N., Robbins, T. W., Stenbæk, D. S., Knudsen, G. M., & Sahakian, B. J. (2023). Chronic escitalopram in healthy volunteers has specific effects on reinforcement sensitivity: A double-blind, placebo-controlled semi-randomised study. Neuropsychopharmacology, 48(4), 664-670. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01523-x
