Antidepressant medications are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in the United States, with roughly one in six adults taking them. The conversation around these medicines is gaining renewed attention as health professionals examine both their benefits and potential overuse.
What are antidepressants and who uses them?
More than half of all antidepressant prescriptions are for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class first approved in 1987 with the drug fluoxetine (Prozac). SSRIs and other antidepressants can be effective for moderate to severe depression, but they are generally not recommended for mild depression because side effects may outweigh any benefit. For milder cases, many non‑medication treatments—such as counseling, exercise, and lifestyle changes—have proven effective.
Screening and prescribing practices
Primary‑care clinics often use a standard questionnaire to screen patients for depression. While the tool can flag individuals who may need further evaluation, it can also lead to over‑diagnosis when a temporary low mood is mistaken for clinical depression. In such instances, some patients receive a prescription that may not be necessary. Conversely, the same screening process sometimes fails to identify those at risk; more than one‑third of people who die by suicide had visited a primary‑care provider in the month before their death, a figure that rises to over two‑thirds for adults 55 and older.
According to a 2026 analysis, most antidepressant prescriptions are written by primary‑care providers rather than psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants with psychiatric training also prescribe these medications, but the majority come from clinicians who are not mental‑health specialists. Limited time and fewer resources for non‑medication therapies in primary‑care settings contribute to this pattern.
Access, telehealth, and stigma
The COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated the use of telehealth for mental‑health care. Before the pandemic, only about 1‑2 % of antidepressant prescriptions were issued via telehealth; by 2022, that share had risen to roughly one‑third. Telehealth has reduced stigma for many patients, especially younger adults and women, who feel more comfortable seeking help remotely.
These expanded access options have contributed to a steady increase in antidepressant prescriptions since 2020. While greater availability helps those with serious depression obtain needed treatment, it also raises concerns that some individuals may be receiving medication when other interventions could suffice.
Challenges in discontinuing antidepressants
Stopping antidepressants after long‑term use can be difficult for some patients. A 2024 review of multiple studies found that about 25 % of people who tapered off antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms such as sleep disturbances, flu‑like aches, headaches, or a buzzing sensation in the head; severe symptoms occurred in roughly 3 % of cases. Gradual tapering under the guidance of an experienced clinician is the recommended approach.
Most patients who work closely with a knowledgeable provider are able to discontinue medication safely, though some individuals with chronic depression may require ongoing treatment.
Looking ahead
The current picture suggests that antidepressants are valuable for many Americans with moderate to severe depression, yet there is room for improvement in prescribing practices, screening accuracy, and the availability of non‑medication therapies. Expanding collaborative care models—where primary‑care clinics have behavioral‑health specialists and easy access to psychiatrists—could help ensure that each patient receives the most appropriate treatment for their condition.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
