Should I Take Medication for Depression?

The decision whether or not to take anti-depressants is a very personal one. Some people, like renowned psychiatrist Gabor Mate, are convinced that there is no need for antidepressants. Other people swear they are effective. Studies comparing the effects of antidepressants to those of a placebo pill, have found antidepressants to be no more effective than placebos for mild, moderate and severe depression. Both placebo and antidepressant medication were associated with clinically significant improvement scores. Antidepressants were only effective for those with severe depression (Melchert).

Psychological treatments, like counselling, typically provide durable benefits that last long after therapy is discontinued, while depressive symptoms often return once antidepressants are no longer taken. Exceptions are bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. All that said, in my experience, antidepressants give people an initial “jump-start” into feeling better and that is something that can be continued with counselling.

In the case of MS, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered well-tolerated first-line treatment (Perez, Gonzalez et al. 2015).

Book an appointment with me to discuss your options for medication and counselling to treat depression.