Ask Dr Mark
YOUR QUESTIONS / WHATˇS ON OUR PLATES? / DEMENTIA / NOISE
Our expert advises on antidepressants, bowel cancer screening, vitamin B12 and the benefits of electric bikes
‘Lots of people’s mental health was adversely impacted by the pandemic’
illustration PAUL REID
How long should antidepressants be taken for? I have been on citalopram for ten months after struggling with depression brought on by having to self-isolate during the pandemic. I was very lonely and low, but I feel much better now and am keen to stop the tablets. I will book in to see my own GP, but I would like to do a bit of homework first.
I am sorry to hear what you have been through. It will be of little consolation but you are not alone. Lots of people’s mental health was adversely impacted by the pandemic. And even before Covid reared its head, around one in six adults in the UK was taking an antidepressant, mostly for depression or anxiety.
The latest guidance advises continuing
antidepressants for at least six months after you have made a full recovery to reduce the risk of relapse. Given that it often takes 6-12 months for your mood to recover, this means a typical course is often 12-18 months from start to finish. And, if you have had episodes of depression before, you may need to take medication for longer and – in some cases – indefinitely.