PILLS CAN’T SOLVE ALL YOUR WOES – I WISH THEY COULD

A GROUP of eminent doctors have written an open letter to the British Medical Journal suggesting that GPs need to prescribe fewer antidepressants. They say that, instead, we should try to tackle the ‘root causes’ of suffering, such as loneliness, poverty and poor housing.

I agree, in principal. Many conditions we see each day, not just depression, are a result of loneliness, poor diets or a lack of exercise. But, in reality, often the best we can do for a patient is to offer medication that can at least alleviate some of the symptoms.

In an ideal world I’d be able to prescribe better housing, more money and improve social support. But sadly I can’t.