Lunch Hour Lecture | The antidepressant controversy

Glyn Lewis and Gemma Lewis will discuss the antidepressant controversy in this Lunch Hour Lecture.

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Lunch Hour Lecture | The antidepressant controversy

17 Oct 2024, 13:00 – 14:00

Online event
United Kingdom

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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.

Glyn Lewis

Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry

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

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.