May 2023: When interviewed* for this podcast about antidepressants Professor Carmine Pariante said: “It is important that when we have this media debate it is always balanced”.
June 2024: Professor Pariante has this opinion published in The Guardian:
In his commentary Professor Pariante refers to this recently published meta-analysis of short-term studies [generally 8 -12 weeks] on antidepressant prescribing:
The word “addiction” does not feature in this published meta-analysis. Not once.
I am not on social media but I understand that the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists has shared Professor Pariante’s article, as published in The Guardian, with this message [capitals as written by the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists]:
“This is a MUST read”.
Nearly 30 years ago I was prescribed an SSRI for my anxiety. My GP explained to me that it would “fix my chemical imbalance”.
Ever since I have been physiologically dependent on my SSRI antidepressant. I have no craving for it. But if I miss a tablet I feel terrible. In trying to “discontinue it” I have suffered hell and so have my family. I have never once argued that my experience ‘applies to all’.
Patient safety matters. This is why balanced and impartial perspectives on what a study can and cannot say are so important. Here, this Guardian opinion fails. Terribly so.
I reckon that we all agree with Professor Pariante that balance is important. Yet psychiatry has gone astray from balance. Again and again.
Footnote:
*My review of the May 2023 podcast about antidepressants with Professor Pariante can be read here.