Antidepressants in India — 8 Myths Busted by a Mumbai Psychiatrist
Antidepressants are among the most effective treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD and several other mental health conditions. Yet in India — and particularly in Mumbai — they are surrounded by myths, misinformation and fear that prevent many people from taking medication that could dramatically improve their quality of life. Here, our Mumbai psychiatrists debunk the most common myths about antidepressants.
Myth 1: “Antidepressants are addictive”
Fact: Modern antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs — the most commonly prescribed class) are not addictive. They do not cause cravings, do not require escalating doses, and do not produce euphoria. Some people experience discontinuation symptoms if they stop suddenly (dizziness, flu-like feelings) — but this is managed by tapering the dose slowly under medical supervision and is not the same as addiction.
Myth 2: “Once you start, you’re on them forever”
Fact: Most people with a first episode of depression take antidepressants for 6–12 months and then successfully taper off. The decision to continue longer depends on the number of previous episodes, severity, and personal circumstances — and is always a collaborative decision between patient and psychiatrist. Many patients use antidepressants for a defined period to stabilise, alongside CBT, and then come off them.
Myth 3: “They change your personality”
Fact: Antidepressants do not change who you are — they relieve the symptoms of depression or anxiety, allowing your authentic self to emerge. Many patients describe feeling “like themselves again” after starting medication. If you feel emotionally blunted or unlike yourself, discuss this with your psychiatrist — the dose or medication can be adjusted.
Myth 4: “They’re just a crutch — you should fight depression naturally”
Fact: You would not tell a diabetic to manage their blood sugar “naturally” without insulin. Depression involves real neurobiological changes — in serotonin, dopamine, neuroplasticity and brain structure. For moderate to severe depression, antidepressants may be medically necessary to restore the neurochemical balance needed for therapy to work effectively.
Myth 5: “Antidepressants don’t work”
Fact: For moderate to severe depression, antidepressants are significantly more effective than placebo. Meta-analyses covering 500+ trials show SSRIs reduce depressive symptoms by 50% or more in the majority of patients. Finding the right medication can take time (2–4 weeks to see effects, sometimes requiring adjustments), but they are effective for most people.
Myth 6: “They’ll make me feel like a zombie”
Fact: Older antidepressants (tricyclics) had more sedating effects. Modern SSRIs and SNRIs are much better tolerated. Some people do experience initial tiredness in the first 1–2 weeks, but this usually settles. If sedation persists, dose adjustment or a different medication usually resolves it.
Myth 7: “I can stop whenever I want”
Fact: Never stop antidepressants abruptly without medical guidance. Sudden cessation can cause discontinuation syndrome (dizziness, electric shock sensations, nausea, anxiety). Always taper under your psychiatrist’s supervision, which makes this completely manageable.
Myth 8: “Taking antidepressants means I’m weak”
Fact: Taking antidepressants means you are treating a medical condition appropriately. It requires courage to seek help and strength to commit to treatment. There is no weakness in treating depression any more than in treating pneumonia with antibiotics. In fact, untreated depression — not treatment — impairs functioning and strength.