Experts reveal shocking dangers of long-term antidepressant use in seniors
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It’s no secret that mental health is as important as physical health—especially as we age.
But a new warning from medical experts has many Australians over 60 (and their families) asking: are we doing enough to protect our seniors from the hidden dangers of long-term antidepressant use?
Recent reports have revealed that thousands of older Australians are being left on antidepressant medications for years—sometimes even decades—without regular reviews or consideration of safer alternatives.
While these medications can be life-changing for those struggling with depression, experts are now raising the alarm about the potential risks of staying on them for too long, particularly in our senior years.
Did you know that more than one in five Australians over 65 are now taking antidepressants?
That’s more than double the rate from just 20 years ago!
While this may reflect greater awareness and willingness to seek help for mental health issues, it also raises important questions about whether we’re relying too heavily on medication—especially when it comes to our older population.
As we age, our bodies process medications differently, and the side effects of antidepressants can become more pronounced.
Some of the most common antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain—a chemical linked to mood.
While generally safe for most people, these medications can cause side effects such as dizziness and unsteadiness, nausea, agitation or restlessness, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (in men), and memory problems.
For seniors, these side effects can be more than just uncomfortable—they can be dangerous.
Dizziness, for example, significantly increases the risk of falls, which can lead to life-threatening fractures or hospitalisations.
Memory issues can also be mistaken for dementia, causing unnecessary worry and confusion for families.
It’s not just the side effects that cause concern. Many older adults who try to stop taking antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms, including trouble sleeping, mood swings, and restlessness.
This can make it difficult for patients to come off the medication, even if they no longer need it for their mental health.
Take the case of Heather Hicks, a 76-year-old who has been on antidepressants since 1996.
She’s tried to stop taking them three times, but withdrawal symptoms have always forced her to start again.
'I wish the GP had suggested counselling rather than prescribing a drug that is so difficult to stop,' she says.
Experts say there are several reasons why older Australians are staying on these medications for years:
Many older adults continue taking medications without proper review, as GPs often renew prescriptions without reassessing their necessity.
Although talking therapies like counselling or group sessions are considered safer alternatives, especially for seniors, limited availability and long wait times mean these options are often out of reach.
Compounding the issue, depression in older adults is frequently tied to loneliness and social isolation—factors that medication alone can't fully address.
Experts stress that meaningful social support plays a critical role in recovery yet remains difficult for many to access.
Professor Robert Howard, an expert in old age psychiatry, says: 'We know that there are patients who have been on antidepressants for a very long time, who perhaps no longer need them. It’s crucial that GPs identify these patients and help them come off the medication safely.'
Antidepressants can be a vital lifeline for many people, including seniors. But like all medications, they need to be used carefully and reviewed regularly—especially as we age.
If you’re concerned about your medication or that of a loved one, don’t hesitate to speak up and ask questions.
Have you or someone you know been on antidepressants for a long time? What has your experience been like? Do you think there are enough alternatives available for seniors? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
But a new warning from medical experts has many Australians over 60 (and their families) asking: are we doing enough to protect our seniors from the hidden dangers of long-term antidepressant use?
Recent reports have revealed that thousands of older Australians are being left on antidepressant medications for years—sometimes even decades—without regular reviews or consideration of safer alternatives.
While these medications can be life-changing for those struggling with depression, experts are now raising the alarm about the potential risks of staying on them for too long, particularly in our senior years.
Did you know that more than one in five Australians over 65 are now taking antidepressants?
Thousands of older Australians have been kept on antidepressants for decades, raising concerns about memory loss and dangerous falls. Credit: Savushkin / iStock
That’s more than double the rate from just 20 years ago!
While this may reflect greater awareness and willingness to seek help for mental health issues, it also raises important questions about whether we’re relying too heavily on medication—especially when it comes to our older population.
As we age, our bodies process medications differently, and the side effects of antidepressants can become more pronounced.
Some of the most common antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain—a chemical linked to mood.
While generally safe for most people, these medications can cause side effects such as dizziness and unsteadiness, nausea, agitation or restlessness, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (in men), and memory problems.
For seniors, these side effects can be more than just uncomfortable—they can be dangerous.
Dizziness, for example, significantly increases the risk of falls, which can lead to life-threatening fractures or hospitalisations.
Memory issues can also be mistaken for dementia, causing unnecessary worry and confusion for families.
It’s not just the side effects that cause concern. Many older adults who try to stop taking antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms, including trouble sleeping, mood swings, and restlessness.
Take the case of Heather Hicks, a 76-year-old who has been on antidepressants since 1996.
She’s tried to stop taking them three times, but withdrawal symptoms have always forced her to start again.
'I wish the GP had suggested counselling rather than prescribing a drug that is so difficult to stop,' she says.
Experts say there are several reasons why older Australians are staying on these medications for years:
Many older adults continue taking medications without proper review, as GPs often renew prescriptions without reassessing their necessity.
Although talking therapies like counselling or group sessions are considered safer alternatives, especially for seniors, limited availability and long wait times mean these options are often out of reach.
Compounding the issue, depression in older adults is frequently tied to loneliness and social isolation—factors that medication alone can't fully address.
Experts stress that meaningful social support plays a critical role in recovery yet remains difficult for many to access.
Professor Robert Howard, an expert in old age psychiatry, says: 'We know that there are patients who have been on antidepressants for a very long time, who perhaps no longer need them. It’s crucial that GPs identify these patients and help them come off the medication safely.'
Antidepressants can be a vital lifeline for many people, including seniors. But like all medications, they need to be used carefully and reviewed regularly—especially as we age.
If you’re concerned about your medication or that of a loved one, don’t hesitate to speak up and ask questions.
