Identifying and describing patient perspectives on long-term antidepressant use

AbstractBackground: Major depression is a chronic disease which often requires long-term antidepressant use. Prescriptions of antidepressants have increased in the past two decades in the US Although current clinical data support the treatment efficacy of antidepressants, early discontinuation of their use by the patient is common. Aim: To identify the treatment experiences of patients, including their perceptions on antidepressant effects, changes in personality, and addiction. Overall goal was to identify factors for larger studies on patterns of antidepressant medication use. Method: This cross-sectional, descriptive study interviewed 45 adults in a large metropolitan city in the US using a structured interview guide that consisted of: demographic characteristics, depression and medication history, antidepressant drug taking behaviors, and antidepressant drug effects. Results: All 45 patients had health insurance. 71.1% of the subjects reported mild to moderate feelings of depression at the time of int...