Alarm Raised Over Decades-Long Antidepressant Use Leaving Patients at Risk

Experts caution that thousands of elderly individuals are remaining on antidepressant medications for up to several decades, which increases their vulnerability to memory issues and dangerous falls.

Over 20% of people aged 65 and older are currently using antidepressants, which is more than twice as many compared to two decades ago.

Physicians caution that as patients get older, the likelihood of experiencing complications due to medication increases. Studies further indicate that elderly patients might face a higher risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Nevertheless, certain specialists criticize general practitioners for permitting patients to stay on antidepressants permanently and not providing older individuals with safer treatment alternatives. depression therapy, like talk therapy.

A few weeks ago, Dr. Ellie Cannon, who writes for The Mail on Sunday as a general practitioner columnist, expressed her concern that certain patients might continue taking medications even after their mental health problems have resolved.

As a result, this newspaper received input from numerous patients who have been using the medication for over ten years.

A 75-year-old individual from Derby has been using antidepressants since 1990. Regardless of his frequent visits to the doctor, Bill Jennings mentions that nobody has proposed reducing or discontinuing these medications.

Heather Hicks, a 76-year-old resident of East Sussex, has been taking these medications since 1996 following their prescription for issues related to her marriage. Despite attempting to discontinue them three times, she hasn’t succeeded because of the withdrawal effects she experienced.

Ms Hicks expresses her desire for the GP to recommend counseling instead of prescribing a medication that is extremely hard to discontinue.

Experts emphasize that it is essential for GPs to recognize older patients who can potentially stop taking antidepressants safely.

"We understand that some patients have been taking antidepressants for an extended period and may not require them anymore," explains Robert Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University College London.

Over eight million individuals in the UK use antidepressant medications. The National Health Service does not provide specific guidelines regarding how long patients should remain on these drugs; however, they typically advise continuing treatment for at least half a year once symptoms have improved.

The most frequently prescribed antidepressants belong to a class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications function by boosting levels of serotonin—a neurotransmitter associated with positive moods—in the brain. However, SSRIs can also lead to several possible adverse effects such as feeling agitated, experiencing nausea, having dizzy spells, losing interest in sex, and for males, facing difficulties with erections.

Often, these signs are minor and tend to get better with time. Nonetheless, specialists caution that such symptoms might worsen and lead to greater impairment as one advances in years.

Of particular worry is that elderly individuals taking antidepressants and experiencing dizziness face an increased danger of falling, which could result in severe bone fractures potentially threatening their lives.

Even if they attempt to discontinue these substances, there is a chance of experiencing withdrawal effects such as agitation, insomnia, and emotional fluctuations.

Certain specialists contend that general practitioners are responsible for the increasing numbers of elderly individuals remaining on antidepressants, yet they acknowledge that feasible alternative options are not consistently provided to these patients.

Research indicates that only about 6 percent of patients who are referred for talk therapy are over 65 years old, even though they constitute almost 20 percent of the overall population.

'Many of these elderly patients aren't referred to a mental health specialist; instead, their general practitioner simply prescribes antidepressants,' explains a psychiatrist. 'Consequently, since GPs do not follow up with them, these individuals end up staying on the medication for an extended period.'

Nevertheless, the GPs have differing views. Professor Dame Clare Gerada, who previously served as the president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, explains: "Elderly individuals frequently experience depression due to loneliness and social isolation." She adds, "Providing treatment that includes social interaction, such as group counseling or therapy, could greatly benefit these patients."

'However, the NHS waitlists for these therapies extend for several years, primarily due to the large number of young individuals currently experiencing mental health problems.'

'So, there isn’t truly another alternative besides antidepressants. Nonetheless, we must improve our ability to determine which patients might be able to discontinue their use later on.'

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