Prescribing antidepressants for depression: Time to be dimensional and inclusive

Abstract

The article by Middleton and Moncrieff questions the role of antidepressants in treating depression on both philosophical and practical grounds; namely that depression isn't a brain disease to be treated by a drug and that antidepressants are ineffective except as placebos. We argue that their stance is unhelpful and factually incorrect and that a more dimensional and integrative approach is needed in order to be able to best tailor treatment to individual needs. This involves a personalised assessment of the likely benefits and risks of both psychological and drug approaches when recommending treatment for someone with depression. ©British Journal of General Practice.