Predicting intentions towards long-term antidepressant use in the management of people with depression in primary care: A longitudinal survey study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over the last two decades, antidepressant prescribing in the UK has increased considerably, due to an increased number of people staying on antidepressants for longer. Even when treatment is no longer clinically indicated, qualitative research suggests many people continue due to a fear of depressive relapse or antidepressant withdrawal symptoms. The quantitative effects of peoples' beliefs and attitudes towards long-term antidepressant use remain relatively unexplored.

Objectives

To determine the extent to which beliefs and attitudes towards antidepressant treatment are associated with intentions to stop or continue long-term use; and whether intentions translate into actual discontinuation.

Methods

A questionnaire survey formed the main component of an em

SUBMITTER: Dewar-Haggart R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11878936 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature