In my role as both a clinical psychologist and neurobiologist, I have interacted with numerous people contemplating the use of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many inquire about my perspective on whether they truly need medication, if talk therapy alone will suffice, or if they are “strong enough” to manage without medications. I make it a priority to hear their reasons for opting for medication against their reservations. While many concerns, such as potential interactions with existing health conditions, are legitimate, I frequently encounter unfounded reasons that suggest myths about antidepressants are deeply rooted in our collective thinking.
With depression and anxiety on the rise, it is crucial to discuss how treatments work and the reasons for hesitation so that we can make informed decisions—especially when such hesitations are not based on scientific evidence. Here are some common myths I often hear, along with my responses: Overcoming depression can be compared to recovering from a broken leg. Even a highly capable weightlifter cannot use a broken leg in the same way. Similarly, despite being a strong individual psychologically, if you’re experiencing depression, your brain no longer processes everyday life as it used to and needs time to “heal” before it can function as it did before the depression. Antidepressants do not make individuals happy; they enable people to experience a balanced range of emotions. They do not provide immediate symptom relief—in fact, it typically takes four to six weeks for full effects to materialize.
However, like chemotherapy for specific cancers, they are considered a long-term (typically at least a year) and potentially curative treatment. With chemotherapy, a specified number of treatments over a prescribed period are required to eradicate cancer cells and achieve remission. Similarly, most studies indicate that taking antidepressants for a year before discontinuing leads to a majority of individuals not relapsing. This suggests that antidepressants need to be taken for a certain duration to maintain their effects, which often persist after stopping the medication. Nonetheless, some individuals with chronic depression may need to continue treatment for extended periods. Antidepressants do not induce a “high”; they do not alter your knowledge, learning, or identity, but they help you see things from a more balanced perspective.
A patient once described them simply, saying, “I see the same good and bad things, but when I was depressed, I only noticed the bad, and now I see the good too.” When taken as prescribed, antidepressants are generally not addictive and have a minimal risk of misuse. They are not associated with cravings as addictive drugs like opioids are. Some individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches or nausea if certain antidepressants are abruptly stopped, but these symptoms are usually short-lived and can be minimized by gradually tapering off the medication. Restricting antidepressants to only severe cases is not sensible for several reasons. It affects quality of life: depression is painful for the individual, their loved ones, and society.
The financial consequences from missed workdays, job loss, accidents, and more are substantial. We have medications that can alleviate these issues, are non-addictive, and have been studied for long-term effects. To date, significant long-term consequences of properly prescribed antidepressants are seldom observed in the short term, although some evidence indicates prolonged use (10 years or more) may increase cardiovascular disease risk. It’s important to highlight that depression itself also raises cardiovascular disease risk. If medication can enhance someone’s quality of life—improving concentration, sleep, relationships, work capability, reduced anxiety, or the energy to enjoy activities—why not consider it? Another point in favor of treatment is that while major long-term drawbacks from antidepressants are rare, the long-term effects of untreated depression are well-documented.
Depression significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory diseases, Parkinson’s, and can worsen cancer outcomes. If taking medication usually doesn’t have long-term health impacts, but living with depression does, the answer is apparent. I don’t imply every person with depression should medicate. This decision should be made with a doctor, considering potential risks and side-effects. If you’re improving through therapy or other support, continue. But if you’re struggling and avoiding medications due to myths, reconsider and consult your doctor.
It’s also worthy to note the similar improvement rate (around 50-60 percent) between talk therapy and antidepressant treatments. However, combining both often yields greater improvements and significantly reduces relapse risk. This may be due to antidepressants enhancing neuroplasticity, thus improving retention and exercise of therapy gains, acting as therapy amplifiers. Antidepressant medications have evolved from the initial versions used in the 1950s. Extensive data now exists on their long-term effects and fundamental functions, and newer medications are mainly crafted based on scientific theories.