Antidepressants are not addictive substances. Drug dependence, also known as drug addiction, refers to the ability of certain drugs to cause mental and somatic changes, such as mental pleasure, pleasure, hallucinations, etc., so that people are immersed in them, after not using drugs will be inexplicably uncomfortable, irritable, in order to experience the effects of these drugs again, or to avoid the unpleasant feelings generated by the absence of drugs, and the cycle, continuous use of drugs. There are two criteria for drug addiction, one is psychological addiction, that is, a strong desire to use the drug, to the extent of recklessly looking for drugs to eat; the second is physical addiction, the performance of withdrawal symptoms, discomfort after discontinuing the use of the body, inexplicable uncomfortable, irritable, etc., can also be manifested as the original drug dose has not reached the original effect, the need to increase the dose, etc.. Common drug dependence is dominated by sedative-hypnotics (such as Valium) and narcotic bouts (such as heroin and morphine). So are antidepressants addictive and do antidepressants cause people to develop drug dependence? The vast majority of experts and doctors have shown that antidepressants are not addictive and do not cause drug dependence. Some of those who are concerned about antidepressants are those who have been taking antidepressants for a period of time and are frightened by the drug reactions that occur when they suddenly stop taking them. Some patients have severe withdrawal reactions and experience various adverse effects, reminiscent of the withdrawal symptoms of drug addicts on TV, and fear that they will become dependent on drugs. After continuing to take the medication, these symptoms are alleviated, and they feel more and more like “I can’t stop this medication”. In fact, it’s not that you can’t stop the medication, but the wrong way to stop it. Different antidepressants have different degrees of withdrawal reactions, and individuals have different constitutions, and their reactions to drugs are different. In this case, if you feel better and want to stop the medication, please do so under the guidance of your doctor, and do not stop the medication without permission. There is also a situation where you gradually reduce your medication and stop taking it according to medical advice, but after a while you feel that your condition has recurred and your mood is bad again, so you go to the hospital and the doctor lets you take the medication again. This is not a case of addiction, but of depression not being fundamentally relieved and fluctuations in the condition. Therefore, doctors recommend that for patients with monophasic depression, long-term use of antidepressants, following medical advice to try to use the lowest effective dose, will not only prevent relapses, but may also help to protect neurological function and improve somatic conditions. However, for biphasic depressive episodes requiring antidepressant medication, it is recommended to discontinue antidepressants at the right time after the condition has stabilized to avoid triggering transitions and fluctuations in the condition.