Antidepressants can be helpful but they can’t fix chronic stress caused by social problems like debt, poverty, racism or domestic violence
Too many people are being prescribed antidepressants to deal with stressful life events or social problems, according to a growing chorus of doctors and researchers.
More than 14% of Australians are currently taking antidepressants, one of the highest rates in the world. Dr Matt Fisher, who researches wellbeing and the impact of stress, says while he has heard health workers talk about this “as a good thing, because it means more people are getting access to help”, he doesn’t see it as a success story.
