Today, Explained How antidepressants got political
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Nov 20, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Meg Jay, a developmental clinical psychologist and author, dives deep into the rising use of antidepressants among young adults, noting a jump from under 5% to 20%. She highlights the complexities of their effectiveness and potential withdrawal challenges. Jay also warns about the lack of long-term studies on SSRIs and their impact on developing brains. The conversation touches on how antidepressants have become politicized, with claims linking them to addiction and violence, urging a more nuanced understanding of their role in mental health.
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Personal Stories Of Numbness And Loss
- A client took antidepressants to ease relationship anxiety but lost motivation at work instead.
- Another speaker described long-term libido loss and emotional numbness after five years on meds.
Stopping SSRIs Can Be Difficult
- Stopping SSRIs can provoke withdrawal-like symptoms because the brain adjusts to altered serotonin levels.
- Many young people restart medication after difficult discontinuation, making them harder to stop than to start.
Long-Term Effects On Young Brains Unknown
- Long-term effects of SSRIs on developing brains are largely unknown because most studies are on adults.
- Meg Jay calls current youth prescribing an ongoing experiment with uncertain outcomes.
