Work

Beliefs about the biological nature of mental disorders and how they affect antidepressant use and withdrawal

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Long-term treatment with antidepressants is increasingly prevalent. Evidence suggests people's beliefs about the nature of mental health conditions affects their attitudes to antidepressant treatment, however, possible confounding effects of the severity of their condition have not been addressed. The current study aimed to explore effects of believing in the biological nature of mental health conditions on people's use of, and attitudes towards antidepressant treatment. It consisted of a survey of people attending a public therapy service for people with anxiety and depressive disorders in the UK who were taking or had taken antidepressants. A total of 497 people responded. 57 % endorsed at least one statement about the biological aetiology of their condition and 66 % thought their condition related to life events. People with biological beliefs had used antidepressants for longer than those without (median 24 vs 10 months p = 0.001, Mann-Whitney-U) and they were less likely to have attempted to stop their antidepressants (58.5 % vs 67.6 %, X 2 = 4.3, d. f. 1, p = 0.04). They were also more likely to believe that antidepressants had improved their condition and that they could not cope without them. The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms was not associated with holding biological beliefs. Among those who had attempted to stop their antidepressant, holding biological beliefs was not associated with more common or more severe withdrawal symptoms, but longer duration of use was related to more severe withdrawal. Education to correct unsupported beliefs about the aetiology of mental disorders may help reduce unnecessary long-term use of antidepressants. • 57 % of people using antidepressants endorsed a biological cause of their condition • Those who held beliefs about biological causation had used antidepressants for longer • They were more likely to feel they could not cope without antidepressants • They were less likely to have tried to stop them • Biological beliefs were not associated with the severity of depression or anxiety symptoms

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.121069

Authors: Mollie Griffin Williams, Mark Horowitz, James Davies, Joanna Moncrieff

Institutions: University College London, King's College London, University of Roehampton

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,790