Antidepressant Discontinuation in Areas of Deprivation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Long-term antidepressant use and discontinuation in areas of high multiple deprivation
IRAS ID
341917
Contact name
Hannah Bowers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background: Antidepressant prescriptions are increasing. Many people may be able to stop antidepressants when they feel better. Adults who live in areas of disadvantage (e.g. housing, financial and education disadvantage) are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants, and they might also find it harder to stop taking them when they are no longer needed. This group of people are often missing in research. Previous research designed support (a website and telephone support calls) to help people who want to stop taking antidepressants, but this might not be right for people in areas of disadvantage, who have different experiences and needs. Aims: This project aims to understand the views of people living in areas of disadvantage about taking antidepressants long-term and about stopping them. We also aim to plan a support package for people who want to reduce and stop antidepressants that is suitable for this particular group of people. Methods: We will interview people who have experience taking antidepressants and live in areas of disadvantage, to find out more about their experiences and what support they need. We will then plan what kind of support could help people in these areas to reduce and stop antidepressants, using information from existing research, the findings from our interviews and working with members of the public. The plan for this intervention will be based on science and the views of people who live in areas of disadvantage. We will use new ways of working (like using WhatsApp voice messages) as this may help a wider range of people take part in the research. PPI: We will work with our public contributors at each stage of the research, including choosing the research methods, deciding what to include in the intervention, understanding the findings and writing papers about the results. Impact: We will share our findings through written papers and at conferences. We will work with our public contributors to share our findings with the community (e.g. at community events or on social media) and we will tell the people we interviewed about the findings. We will produce a plan for supporting people stopping antidepressants that is suited to people who are more likely to need support (i.e. they live in areas of deprivation). We will also learn a lot about new ways of working with this underserved group.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
25/IEC08/0031
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion