A published response by Mark Horowitz and David Taylor to an Editorial by Jeffrey CL Looi et al:
Another published response by Niall McLaren to the Editorial by Jeffrey CL Looi et al:
Response by Dr Peter Scott-Gordon, shared on Hole Ousia, 14 September 2024:
I worked as an NHS psychiatrist for quarter of a century until my retirement a few years ago. Over the same time period I have been taking an SSRI antidepressant, initially prescribed for anxiety, that I am unable to stop. For these reasons I have an interest in the subject of antidepressant prescribing and issues related to this. I would like to offer a few thoughts on this editorial.
The title promises something that any author would struggle to deliver. Historically there has been minimal focus on research into long-term prescribing and more recent research, while welcome, has methodological limitations. Examples include the use of self-reported surveys and data which fails to differentiate relapse from withdrawal.
The overarching message conveyed in this editorial seems to be one determined to reassure: ‘Move on . . . there is nothing to see here’. In its use of language the editorial comes across as defensive.
The authors report that “Proponents of deprescribing do not address the substantive issues of whether inappropriate prescribing has been demonstrated, and when prescribing is needed”; however this is not my reading of the very beginning of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines:
Perhaps it is simply a reflection of the number of contributors but there is a lack of coherence affecting this editorial. However, my main disappointment is a lack of acknowledgement in the editorial of the significant numbers of people who are living with adverse effects and suffering as a result of taking prescribed antidepressants. The lack of willingness to understand this, as demonstrated in this editorial, only adds to the distress.
*23 May 2023: “The Royal College of Psychiatrists is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Gin Malhi as the next College Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the world-class British Journal of Psychiatry (BJPsych)”
