Duration of Antidepressant Use in the U.S.

Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed for both short- and long-term use in the U.S. The duration of use can vary widely.

• 68% of individuals aged 12 and over who have been prescribed antidepressants have been taking them for 2 years or more. 

• 25% of individuals using antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more. 

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for extended periods, with a significant portion of the population continuing their use for several years. According to recent data, 68% of individuals taking antidepressants have been on them for at least two years, and for some, this duration stretches to decades. This trend raises important questions about the appropriateness of such extended medication use, especially when we consider the broader picture of mental health care. The high rate of long-term prescriptions suggests that antidepressants may be viewed as a primary solution for depression-related mental health issues, potentially overshadowing other effective treatments such as therapy, lifestyle modifications, or addressing socio-political issues that contribute to mental health struggles.

While antidepressants may offer temporary relief from symptoms, the risks associated with their use are significant. Extended use may lead to a range of side effects including physical complications, emotional numbness, and dependency. For individuals who have been on antidepressants for years, the prospect of discontinuation can be daunting. The longer a person remains on medication, the harder it can be to taper off safely, and withdrawal symptoms—often misunderstood and inadequately addressed—can exacerbate the problem. This difficulty in discontinuing antidepressants, combined with withdrawal being mistaken for rebound symptoms, may reinforce the idea that patients must remain on medication indefinitely, even when it may not be in their best interest.

Moreover, the over-reliance on prescribing antidepressants—often without sufficient exploration of alternative treatments—may be contributing to a larger mental health crisis. In many cases, medications are prescribed for conditions that may resolve with time or non-pharmaceutical interventions. By focusing primarily on medication, healthcare providers may be overlooking the complex, multifaceted nature of mental health, which often involves social, psychological, and environmental factors that cannot be adequately addressed with a medication. As a result, we’re facing a situation where millions of individuals are on antidepressants for longer than necessary, potentially experiencing diminishing returns in terms of effectiveness.