Cited by 40Mental Health Treatment and AccessTreatment of Major DepressionMedication Adherence and Compliance

The paradoxical role of antidepressant medication - returning to normal functioning while losing the sense of being normal

GARFIELD, SARA, SMITH, FELICITY, FRANCIS, SALLY-ANNE·2003·Journal of Mental Health

Abstract

Background: The development of healthcare services which address patients' perspectives of treatment and illness has been advocated. However, little is known about patients' beliefs and experiences of taking antidepressant medication. Aims: The current study aimed to identify factors of importance to patients beginning courses of antidepressant medication, in order to inform the development of partnerships between patients and healthcare professionals. Method: Patients beginning courses of antidepressant medication were recruited from general practice surgeries. Semi-structured interviews were performed. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and coded. Results: Antidepressant medication was found to have a paradoxical role in affecting the return to normal life and functioning. Medication enabled respondents to return to normality by reducing symptoms associated with the condition. However, it also had a stigma attached which reduced interviewees' sense of being normal. Respondents reported mechanisms of dealing with stigma, the majority of which reconciled taking antidepressant medication with previous self identity. Conclusion: Knowledge of mechanisms used to deal with stigma may aid healthcare professionals in building partnerships with patients with a diagnosis of depression. Declaration of interest: None.

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Crossref · 10.1080/09638230310001603582

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Authors
GARFIELD, S., SMITH, F., & FRANCIS, S.-A.
Affiliations
University of London (GB)
Venue
Journal of Mental Health
Published
2003-01
Volume
12
Issue
5
Pages
521-535
ISSN
  • 0963-8237 (ISSN-L)
  • 1360-0567
OpenAlex
W2118600565
Cited by
40
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
1.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Mental Health (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Medication Adherence and Compliance
Keywords
antidepressants, depression, stigma, patient experience, self-identity, coping strategies, patient-professional partnership, patient perspectives, general practice

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