Can antidepressants negatively alter the long-term course of depressive disorders?

CONCLUSION: The literature summarized in this narrative review indicates that long-term antidepressant drug treatment can have an adverse effect on the course of the disease in some patients. The undisputed benefits of acute antidepressant drug treatment are offset by potential risks when taken chronically or when discontinued, which are probably due to adaptive brain changes. This must be taken into account when initiating any antidepressant …