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Analysis Too Much Medicine

Medicalising unhappiness: new classification of depression risks more patients being put on drug treatment from which they will not benefit

BMJ 2013; 347 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f7140 (Published 09 December 2013) Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f7140

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Re: Medicalising unhappiness: new classification of depression risks more patients being put on drug treatment from which they will not benefit

I fully agree with the authors of this paper. Anti-depressant drugs are given to patients far too easily, without a full consultation or a history taken. We need to be asking ourselves why so many people in society today are being diagnosed with depression and why we think drugs are the only answer? We will continue to have this problem unless we get to the root of the issue and listen to patients concerns. Anti-depressant drugs are not the solution, and if anything they can start the patient on a whole new route of dependency.

Competing interests: No competing interests

10 December 2013
Tracey O'Neill
Lecturer of Public Health
London Metropolitan University
London