Scientists have been debating the efficacy of antidepressants for decades. The latest paper to throw its hat into the ring concludes that there is little evidence to show that they perform better than placebos.
In 2017, around 17.3 million adults in the United States experienced an episode of major depression.
Alongside talking therapies such as psychotherapy, many people with depression take antidepressants.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 2011–2014 survey found that 12.7% of U.S. individuals aged 12 or above had taken antidepressant medication in the previous month.