The Risks and Rewards of Antidepressants
To the Editor:
Re 'Harm From Antidepressants Is Real. Let's Not Cede the Conversation to Kennedy,' by Awais Aftab, a psychiatrist (Opinion guest essay, May 7):
As a practicing psychiatrist, I agree with Dr. Aftab's call for studies of psychiatric drug side effects and withdrawal effects, as well as greater transparency about potential risks and benefits. He describes well the dilemmas faced by psychiatrists in everyday clinical practice.
It is important, though, to point out that a number of studies show that the majority of S.S.R.I. prescriptions are written by primary care providers, not psychiatrists, and by other providers who do not have adequate training or support in treating depression and other serious conditions these medications can address.
Most well-trained psychiatrists do take the time to explain and monitor side effects and withdrawal symptoms. It is not unusual, for instance, to take a year or more to properly taper off these medications. It is the rare primary care physician who has the time and training to do this. The studies Dr. Aftab calls for would not only help guide treatment, but just as important, also mitigate the effects of disinformation about these important medications.
Jeffrey Rubin
Madrid
To the Editor:
While I appreciate Awais Aftab's concerns about antidepressant side effects and withdrawal symptoms, I believe that there are more pressing and legitimate causes for concern.
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