Evidence-biased Antidepressant Prescription: Overmedicalisation, Flawed Research, and Conflicts of Interest

The book "The Antidepressant Myth" critically examines the over-prescription of antidepressants in people with mostly mild and subthreshold depression, highlighting the steep increase in prescription and flaws in scientific evidence. It argues that biological reductionism and pharmaceutical marketing have overemphasized drug treatment, leading to an overestimation of benefits and underestimation of harms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the issue of over-prescribing antidepressants to individuals with primarily mild and subthreshold depression. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the rise in antidepressant prescription rates and critically evaluates the current scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of these medications in treating depression. The book goes beyond simply discussing the conflicting opinions on the usefulness or ineffectiveness of antidepressants in different forms of depression and aims to shed light on how flaws in the conduct and reporting of antidepressant trials have resulted in an overestimation of benefits and an underestimation of harms.

Central to the book's argument is the transformation of the diagnostic concept of depression from a rare but serious disorder to an over-inclusive, highly prevalent but predominantly mild and self-limiting disorder. The author argues that biological reductionism in psychiatry and pharmaceutical marketing has played a significant role in reframing depression as a brain disorder, thereby reinforcing the overemphasis on drug treatment in both research and practice.

Furthermore, the author explores how pharmaceutical companies have manipulated the scientific literature on the efficacy and safety of antidepressants, and how patient advocacy groups, influential academics, and medical organizations with deep financial ties to the industry have contributed to promoting systematically biased benefit-harm evaluations, which have ultimately influenced public attitudes toward antidepressants as well as medical education, training, and practice.

This book is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers seeking to understand the complexities of antidepressant use and its impact on individuals with depression. It raises important questions about the appropriate use of these medications, the need for transparency in clinical trials and research, and the potential biases and conflicts of interest within the medical industry. By examining the evidence carefully and critically, this book can help inform evidence-based decision-making and promote better outcomes for individuals struggling with depression.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 155 x 218 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030825867
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022