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Adverse events caused by antidepressants “may be more frequent than previously reported, and include emotional and interpersonal effects”, say the authors of a new study.

The adverse events may lock some people into a world of reduced pleasure and happiness, say the authors, which perpetuates the need to continue taking anti-depressants.

In the study, 1,829 adults from New Zealand who received antidepressants in the previous five years, completed an online questionnaire about their experiences with, and beliefs about, antidepressants.

More than half the respondents reported eight of the 20 adverse effects assessed in the questionnaire: sexual difficulties (62 per cent) – usually failure to reach orgasm (59 per cent); feeling emotionally numb (60 per cent); withdrawal effects (55 per cent); feeling not like myself (52 per cent); reduction in positive feelings (42 per cent); caring less about others and suicidality (both 39 per cent).

Withdrawal effects and failure to reach orgasm were rated as moderate or severe by 42 and 41 per cent of patients respectively, as was the feeling of being emotionally numb (35 per cent). However, people who believed antidepressants alleviated their depression and those who experienced improved quality of life reported significantly fewer adverse events than those who didn’t feel that they benefited.

Younger age (18-25 versus 56-65 years), lower education and income, and certain antidepressants (venlafaxine, paroxetine and tricyclics) increased the risk of adverse events. All adverse reactions were strongly related to suicidality, which was reported by 55 per cent of those aged 18 to 25 years, with almost 14 per cent reporting ‘severe’ suicidality. (Psychiatry Research)