• Question: How do antidepressants work?

    Asked by HK.15 to Adrian, Ali, Charnelle, Deborah, Kit, Phil, Rob on 6 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Robert Cullum

      Robert Cullum answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      In depression there is a reduced quantity of a hormone (chemical) in the brain called serotonin. Most antidepressants work by increasing the levels of this chemical again, usually by keeping it between cells rather than being absorbed back into them.

      What is slightly less clear is what causes depression, but it’s probably a lot of factors coming together which then cause the chemical levels to be reduced, rather than a reduction in the chemicals happening first.

    • Photo: Adrian Taylor

      Adrian Taylor answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      As Robert replied regarding how they work, but Anti-depressants should be seen as a short term help, in the longer term you need to work with the person to get to the cause and see what life changes can be put in place to alleviate the depression, this can take a long time, but anti-depressants aren’t as with most medication a long term solution.

    • Photo: Deborah Draycott

      Deborah Draycott answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      There are different types of medicines used for treating depression and they all work in slightly different ways. I don’t normally prescribe these types of medicines as it isn’t part of my role and I don’t have enough experience with them. I try to support people to access behavioural therapies if appropriate and refer to the GP if needed.

    • Photo: Philip Williams

      Philip Williams answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      what Robert and the others said! Talking therapies (there’s lots of different types) work just as well as antidepressants for people with mild depression, but in Lincolnshire there’s often a 3 month wait for them. People are often keen to feel better as soon as possible, so they’re keen to try antidepressants as well as the talking therapies. There’s also increasing websites which can help, for example kooth.com is a great website for teenagers with anxiety or depression which has online counselling.

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