title: 'They won't do any harm and might do some good': time to think again on the use of antidepressants?
abstract: Despite NICE guidance that should have limited it, antidepressant prescribing continues to increase. Research evidence suggests that much if not all of the observed efficacy should be attributed to complex non-specific effects rather than 'restoration of disturbed brain chemistry'. According to this view the uncertain benefits of antidepressants are unlikely to outweigh the risks, suggesting the need to explore other approaches to treatment.
authors.affiliation: School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham. Hugh.middleton@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moncrieff
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents