Taking anti-depressant medication: A qualitative examination of internet postings

Abstract

Background: The use of psychiatric medications has expanded dramatically in recent years. This opens opportunities for new lines of inquiry in the social and behavioral sciences.

Aims: This paper examines the experience of taking anti-depressant medications and its impact on the sense of self.

Method: This medication experience is captured through an analysis of postings on a health-related web site. Posting on the five most popular anti-depressant medication message boards were examined for common themes in 227 postings.

Results: Four themes common to the five message boards are presented. Postings addressed general side effects, sexual side effects, giving medical advice and frustration with physicians. An analysis of these postings is discussed through the perspective of the damaged and healing selves.

Conclusions: Taking anti-depressant medication created a contradiction among posters. They saw themselves as ill and rather ineffective patients. At the same time they saw themselves as actors who deserve good treatment, and in fact, have their own medical expertise. We use this conclusion to develop implications and limitations of this research with suggestions for future research.

Keywords:

• Psychosocial aspects of drug treatment
• anti-depressants
• internet postings