PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One in eight Americans will battle depression. Many will find relief after treatment with antidepressant medication. But once the medication is prescribed, do you need to take it for the rest of your life?
According to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine, the answer is yes… and no. Fifty-six percent of patients who are on antidepressants for one year and then stop taking them can relapse, while 44% will do very well.
The most important point is to work with your doctor to make a combined decision. Don't do it on your own. This will allow you to be monitored. Cutting off some of the medications all at once can cause issues as well.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
