Antidepressants Can Pose Serious Health Risks in This Case, Study Warns

Antidepressants can be life-changing for many people, especially during severe depression or anxiety. But a new study is raising a sharper question about what happens when the medication continues for years without regular review, clear benefit, or a plan for safely stopping.

The warning focuses on long-term use, not short-term treatment under medical supervision. Researchers writing in the Australian Journal of General Practice argue that prolonged antidepressant use can bring serious risks, including sexual dysfunction, emotional numbing, cognitive problems, weight gain, and difficult withdrawal symptoms. They also call for treatment reviews every six months.