According to the new NHS guidelines, doctors should not routinely give antidepressants but instead offer therapy, meditation, or exercise.
Yesterday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ruled that mild depression patients need to be given group therapy sessions prior to taking medication.
According to the medical watchdog, “Do not give antidepressant medications as first-line treatment for milder depressions, except if that’s what the patient prefers.”
This draft guidance is still subject to public consultation. It is the first recommendation ever made for treatment of depression in twelve years.
Yesterday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence decided that patients suffering from mild depression should have group therapy sessions prior to taking medication (stock photo).
It has been issued amid mounting concerns about the ‘overprescription’ of antidepressants – with around 7.3million people in England taking the drugs.
It is part of larger over-prescribing problems where staggering 15% of adults take at least five medications per day. Additionally, 110million prescriptions go unneeded each year.
The pandemic saw an increase in antidepressant use as mental illnesses rose.
According to official figures, one out of six people experienced symptoms of depression during the summer. But, patients may be able to remain on antidepressants over many years.
Nice recommends that treatment be considered before taking medication. This is because therapy has a higher clinical effectiveness and it does not cause side effects like weight gain or sleepiness.
It says patient choice is vital – and instructs doctors to offer people with mild depression a ‘menu’ of 11 different treatment options.
The guidance has been issued amid mounting concerns about the ‘overprescription’ of antidepressants – with around 7.3million people in England taking the drugs (stock image)
If patients do not have a preference, the first treatment choice should be group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – which usually consists of eight weekly sessions.
People can use CBT to learn how their thoughts, beliefs attitudes, emotions, and feelings interact.
Nice also recommends group mindfulness, meditation, and exercise classes as alternatives to medication.
The popularity of mindfulness has increased in recent years. It involves sitting still and listening to the sounds and sensations in your breathing.
Nice lists antidepressants as the ninth option for mild depression. They can cause withdrawal symptoms and side effects if they are stopped.