Platform 51

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Categories: Health & wellbeing, Mental health campaign
Monday, 18 July 2011
Platform 51’s research on Women’s Hour

Do busy doctors hand out antidepressants like sweets to patients

Today Platform 51's research: Checks and choices: women and antidepressants featured on BBC Radio Four's Women's Hour. The section discussed whether busy doctors are handing out antidepressants like sweets to patients. On the panel were Psychiatrist Dr Joanna Moncrieff and GP Dr Clare Gerada. The two doctors had different viewpoints on the topic. Dr Clare Gerada defended the use of antidepressants whereas Dr Joanna Moncrieff was more concerned about there use.

Our research found that:

• a third (33%) of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
• nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have waited a year or more for a review.

Platform 51's director of policy, campaigns and communications Rebecca Gill, said: "Our research reveals an escalating crisis in women's use of antidepressants. We know from working with women and girls in our centres that antidepressants have a role to play but they are too readily prescribed as the first and only remedy.

"The current NICE guidelines are apparently not being followed: women want more checks to make sure the medication use is right for them and they want more choice when it comes to receiving treatment. We call on the Government to launch a review into the use of antidepressants. "

A podcast of the Women's Hour programme will be available later today. Check our Twitter feed or our Facebook page for the link or download it directly from the BBC website.