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Lunch Hour Lecture | The antidepressant controversy
17 October 2024, 1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Glyn Lewis and Gemma Lewis will discuss the antidepressant controversy in this Lunch Hour Lecture.
This event is free.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Cost
- Free
Organiser
-
UCL Events
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About the lecture:
Antidepressants have been the topic of polarised debate, particularly on social media and in other media outlets. The sources of controversy have remained the same for many years and include discussions about the effectiveness of antidepressants, and how often and severely people experience discontinuation symptoms. Despite this, antidepressants are prescribed to millions of people worldwide and prescriptions are continuing to rise in many countries. In this talk, Glyn Lewis and Gemma Lewis will discuss:
1. The effectiveness of antidepressants
2. Possible unblinding in clinical trials and how this might affect research findings
3. The overlap between symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal and depression relapse, and what this could mean for research findings and clinical practice
This UCL Lunch Hour Lecture forms part of a series organised in partnership with UCL's Grand Challenge of Mental Health & Wellbeing and UCL Workplace Wellbeing.
About the Speakers
Glyn Lewis
Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry at UCL
Glyn Lewis is Professor of epidemiological psychiatry in the UCL Division of Psychiatry and former Director of the Division. He investigates the causes and treatments of depression and anxiety and leads randomised controlled trials to evaluate treatments for depression and anxiety in primary care. His research aims to have practical implications in improving clinical care or informing public health while identifying advances in neuroscientific understanding that could lead to practicable benefits for patients.
Gemma Lewis
Associate Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at UCL Division of Psychiatry
Gemma Lewis is Associate Professor of psychiatric epidemiology in the UCL Division of Psychiatry. Her research focuses on the causes, treatment and prevention of depression. She also investigates other mental health problems, which often occur with depression including anxiety, self-harm and suicidality. As these mental health problems often begin during adolescence, much of her research focuses on young people. Dr Lewis uses large population-based cohorts, electronic health records, and causal inference methods to inform prevention. She also analyses data from large randomized controlled trials, to improve treatment.