What happens when…
One in six UK adults are currently prescribed antidepressants, with women more likely to be taking them than men*. But does anyone know how they work?
01 Selective steering
Antidepressant use is increasing; 8.3million UK adults now take them – the sixth consecutive year-on-year rise. Used to manage symptoms of depression such as low mood and anxiety, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressant. The theory: they stop levels of ‘happy hormone’ serotonin taking a dive by blocking the natural reabsorption of this biochemical. Or, that’s what we thought…
02 Mystery meds
Earlier this year, a UCL review dramatically debunked the theory that low serotonin levels are responsible for depression. ‘The notion of depression being due to a “chemical imbalance” is outmoded,’ says UCL Genetics Institute’s Professor David Curtis, who adds that the antidepressant effect of SSRIs ‘is likely due to more complex changes in neuronal functioning’. But while we don’t know exactly how they work, what doctors and researchers are clear on is that you should never stop taking them without consulting your clinician.
03 Long haul
SSRIs typically need two to four weeks to start working, after which they can help you feel sunnier and more capable amid a depressive episode. They’re no silver bullet though. While studies suggest SSRIs and the less commonly prescribed SNRIs (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) are equally effective, they have a 40% to 60% positive response rate, meaning if 100 people with mod
