Experts are concerned at the rising prescribing rate of antidepressants, with around one in seven Australians taking antidepressant medication every day. 

In 2019, approximately 27 million prescriptions were given for antidepressants in Australia, 86% of those written by GP’s. 

University of Adelaide professor and psychiatrist, Dr Jon Jureidini, says the main concern is these medications being over or misprescribed, with patients unaware of possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms. 

Image: Image: Pexels/ Polina Tankilevitch

Produced By: Mary-Kate Hannagan

Featured In Story: Dr John Jureidini, Psychiatrist and University of Adelaide Professor

First aired on The Wire, Monday 12 February 2024