Changes in antidepressant medication use in the workplace and sustainable employability: a qualitative study of experiences, strategies and solutions

Abstract

This study explores patients’ experiences of how antidepressant medication transition events (ceasing, changing or reducing) affect employment and workplace functioning. An anonymous online survey was conducted with adults who had experienced antidepressant medication transition events (AMTEs). Data were analyzed using a hybrid inductive and deductive thematic analysis approach. While a majority of participants perceived many positive impacts of antidepressant medication on their workplace functioning, considerable negative effects during AMTEs were reported. Participants provided practical solutions to assist employers, policy and clinicians. Significant and detrimental impact of antidepressant medication changes occurred in the workplace. There is an urgent need to raise awareness of the vulnerability of people during AMTEs and to develop educational and supportive resources to assist clinicians and practitioners to support people during this vulnerable time.

Keywords:

• Depression
• employability
• employer
• human resources
• mental health
• workforce

Data availability statement

Data is available on reasonable request from the corresponding author, subject to new ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We thank the participants.

Ethical considerations

Ethics approval was obtained from Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (H9067). There was implied consent through completing the anonymous online survey.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request, subject to new ethics approval.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.