Pharma Overpromised on Antidepressants
Two new studies show that SSRIs don’t treat depression by fixing a chemical imbalance in the brain.
It’s complicated.
Photographer: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty ImagesThe most popular depression drugs taken by millions don’t work by fixing an “imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters,” as many drug advertisements claim or imply. That’s because depression isn’t caused by a chemical imbalance, according to a new analysis published in Molecular Psychiatry. That doesn’t necessarily mean people should stop taking these drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Another new study used clinical data to show they can still help some depressed people.
But getting a clear understanding of how and when these drugs work matters because they are extremely popular. An extensive survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that more than 13% of Americans over 18 reported having taken SSRIs between 2015 and 2018.