Data of the National Center for Health Statistics showed that the antidepressant use in the US increased from about 8% in 1999-2002 to 13% in 2011-2014. This disturbing upward trend is worldwide. Does this tell us anything about our general mental health or are antidepressants more easily prescribed? Is the world changing rapidly and is it getting harder to keep up the pace of our fast lives? Where does this end? It seems like we are treating the symptoms and not the causes. In this debate we look at the pro and cons of the use of antidepressants.

The following will be discussed: effectiveness in relation to other therapies, the use of antidepressants for other illnesses, the rise of the use, assumptions about depression and the role of doctors, therapists, patients, society and the pharmaceutical industry. We also look at when, why and how to use antidepressants and how to gradually reduce the use. 

Panel
Prof. Frenk Peeters is Extraordinary Professor Treatment of Mood Disorders at Maastricht University. As a psychiatrist he works at Maastricht UMC+ and Virenze-RIAGG Maastricht.
Lotte Lemmens, PhD is Assistant Professor Clinical Psychological Science at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University. Part of her research focusses on the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
Suzanne van Bronswijk is PhD-researcher at School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University.
Peter Groot, PhD is expert by experience and researcher at the User Research Center, Maastricht University.

Moderator
Rob van Duijn, Studium Generale Maastricht University

Organised in cooperation with the Public Health Association, UM