8. For how long should depression sufferers take antidepressants?

The Therapist answers:

The length of medication depends on each patient’s situation. Basically, six-month is a common target. One third of the patients recover after taking antidepressants for two to three months. Most of such cases are only in mild depression. While their situations become stable, most of them don’t need to continue medication. Yet, another third of patients show a relapse shortly after recovery. They may have to continue medication for two to three years, constantly under close observation. The last third of patients have to continue medication for longer terms. Such cases are mostly serious sufferers or elderly people.