Weekend Doctor: Antidepressants in the long term
By Christian Steiner, MD, Psychiatry
Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio
The long-term use of antidepressants is a critical aspect of managing major depressive disorder (MDD) to prevent relapse and recurrence. Clinical guidelines, such as those from the American Psychiatric Association, recommend maintenance therapy with antidepressants for at least six months after achieving remission to prevent relapse. For patients with a high risk of recurrence, such as those with multiple past episodes or severe symptoms, maintenance treatment may be extended to two years or more.
Multiple randomized studies show the benefit of long-term antidepressant use in primary care settings. It found that patients who continued their antidepressant therapy had a lower rate of relapse compared to those who discontinued treatment.
Can you come off antidepressants? Yes, but timing and support matter. Discontinuing antidepressants should always be done under medical supervision, with a slow tapering plan to minimize withdrawal symptoms. It’s also vital to ensure the person is in a stable phase of life with adequate support systems.
Long-term use of antidepressants is essential for preventing relapse in patients with MDD, particularly those at high risk of recurrence. The choice of antidepressant should be tailored to the patient's clinical profile, considering efficacy, tolerability and potential adverse effects. Regular follow-up and patient education on the importance of continued treatment is vital to ensure adherence and optimize outcomes.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Pirate baseball win vs. Tigers
- Bluffton softball edged in battle of Pirates
- Committee meetings scheduled for Bluffton Council
- #1 recommended attraction in NW Ohio is in Ada
- Mental Health Awareness event with Seth Gehle
- Ohio highway patrol promoting motorcycle safety
- Recap of Bluffton Board of Education meeting for April 2025
- Weekend Doctor: Antidepressants in the long term
Friday, May 2, 2025
- BHS seniors exhibit art at Gallery 323 through May 7
- What's in your weekend?
- Pirate softball blanked by Lancers
- Pirate baseball blanked by Lincolnview
- Laman Promoted to VP Retail Credit Manager by CNB
- Local land conservancy hires first Executive Director
- Steiner to present Swiss Family Migration program on May 21
- 850 Days of Caring volunteers will pitch in for Hancock County
Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Angel M. Langhals owned LFE/API Meters
- Allen Co. task force targets target sex and human traffickers
- Blessing of the Bikes, May 4
- Metzger honored at 2025 Black Swamp Council meeting
- Volunteer invitation for Bluffton Pathway Count in May
- Pirate tennis edges Ottawa-Glandorf
- Bluffton EMS station staffing goes 24/7 on May 1
- You are what you eat: Link to immune system
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Observation deck added to Motter Park cascading pools project
- Bluffton Women in Business meet May 15
- Four sportsmen stock 200 trout at Buckeye Lake
- Pirate girls, boys 2nd at Minster track quad
- Pirate baseball win vs. Riverdale
- Pirate softball loss vs. Riverdale
- Field reports from NW Ohio wildlife officers