The drugs don’t work, new study shows – Millions with depression need talking therapies too

A study published today claims that anti-depressants don’t have any clinically significant effect in most cases (1). This underlines what leading mental health charity Rethink has known for a long time; anti-depressants are being over prescribed and millions with depression are not getting access to the psychological therapies that could really help them recover.

Most GPs admit they are over-prescribing anti-depressant drugs and say more access to psychological ‘talking’ therapies would be helpful (2). NICE guidelines recommend that a range of psychological therapies should be available on the NHS. But thousands of people with depression still aren’t getting access to these effective alternatives to pills.

Last year government announced an increase in funding for talking therapies – they intend to increase spending on psychological therapies to £30 million this year. This is a welcome increase in spending but it is still more than ten times less than spending on anti-depressants.

Evidence shows that psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are at least as effective as pills and can benefit people with severe mental illness as well as those with mild depression. Mental health campaigners want to make sure talking therapies reach every person with a mental illness who wants them.

It is vital however, that people who have been prescribed anti-depressants do not stop taking them without talking to a doctor. Suddenly stopping medication can be very dangerous. Anyone who is concerned should seek medical advice.

Rethink’s Paul Corry said:

“This study shows just how vital it is that NHS spending starts to match up with NICE guidelines. The doctors, the patients and campaigners like us have been telling government for years – spend NHS money on talking therapies and don’t just pour it into drugs. Some people do benefit from anti-depressants but they want talking therapies too. We need to get well-trained therapists ready to start delivering the services people need to get better.

“It is great news that there is going to be more cash for talking therapies but we do need to make sure that talking therapies are available to everyone who wants them, that includes people with severe mental illness, not just mild to moderate depression.

“Rethink and the University of York are launching a brand new service with Stoke Primary Care Trust that will see access to psychological therapies increased right across the area. This exciting initiative, the Healthy Minds Network, will finally enable GP’s to give their patients the services they know will benefit them.”