Increased Long-Term Antidepressant Medication Use Linked to Serious Public Health Implications

Health professionals have a critical role in influencing decisions on antidepressant medication discontinuation, according to a recent study. The research, led by University College London (UCL), aimed to explore the perspectives of health professionals on the barriers and facilitators to antidepressant medication discontinuation and deprescribing. The study found that increased long-term use of antidepressant medication can lead to serious psychological and physical public health implications, as well as increased financial costs and social injustice. The study identified eight analytical themes related to health professionals' views on antidepressant medication discontinuation, including perceptions of depression, sense of professional duty, and societal norms and pressures.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that health professionals' perspectives on antidepressant medication discontinuation are crucial in promoting and enabling discontinuation when the medication is no longer indicated.
• The research identified eight analytical themes related to health professionals' views on antidepressant medication discontinuation, including perceptions of depression, sense of professional duty, and societal norms and pressures.
• The study suggested that health professionals' confidence in supporting antidepressant medication discontinuation is influenced by various factors, including assessment of patients' circumstances and characteristics, and assessment of patients' desires, motivations, and capabilities.
• The research concluded that societal norms and pressures, and systemic healthcare delivery issues, play a significant role in influencing health professionals' perspectives on antidepressant medication discontinuation.
• The study recommended targeting the barriers highlighted by the themes of societal norms and pressures, and systemic healthcare delivery issues, in future research and interventions.

Statistics:

• 14 studies were included in the qualitative evidence synthesis, capturing the views of over 280 health professionals.
• The studies were published between July 2018 and May 2022, with an additional search in January 2024 to identify and incorporate studies published since May 2022.
• The research founded that health professionals' confidence in supporting antidepressant medication discontinuation is critical in promoting and enabling discontinuation when the medication is no longer indicated.

Sources:

• Discontinuing antidepressant medication: a qualitative evidence synthesis and logic model based on health professionals' views. BMC Health Services Research, 2025, 25(1):1-18.
• BMC Health Services Research - http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com
• https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13445-7