• Question: what are your views on anti depressants?

    Asked by mjgjxo to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi mjgjxo

      Anti depressants can be great and have really helped a huge number of people, including many of my friends. However, they are unpredictable – one that works for one person might not for another and we dont know why this is. Also, they often take a while to start working which isnt good for someone whos very depressed.

      Thats one of the reason why I’m studying how serotonin works as serotonin is involved in depression and we hope that understanding it better will help us design better antidepressants in the future.

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi @mjgjxo
      I agree with Rachael, for some people they can make a great difference to their lives, but for others they can even have negative effects.

      They are prescribed too much as they’re a lot cheaper than a behavioural therapy which would involve a lot of time and a professional therapist.

      What do you think about them?

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