Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lecture, Dr. Mark Horowitz, psychiatrist, researcher and NHS clinician, shares his insights on the history, culture and science behind antidepressant use. Drawing from his clinical work helping people taper off antidepressants as well as his research background in neuroscience and psychiatry, Dr. Horowitz explores whether antidepressants are being overprescribed, the challenges patients face when stopping them, the mismatch between clinical guidelines and real-world outcomes, and how public campaigns like Defeat Depression have shaped cultural attitudes. He also examines the role of the DSM-III in redefining psychiatry and considers the wider implications of viewing depression as a medical illness compared to a life response.
Dr. Mark Horowitz is a clinical research fellow in psychiatry and a practicing psychiatrist. He runs an NHS clinic dedicated to helping people safely taper off antidepressants and has published extensively on withdrawal effects and deprescribing. With a PhD in psychiatry and neuroscience, his work bridges molecular biology, clinical practice and patient experience. He is also co-author of The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines.
In this lecture, Dr. Mark Horowitz, psychiatrist, researcher and NHS clinician, shares his insights on the history, culture and science behind antidepressant use. Drawing from his clinical work helping people taper off antidepressants as well as his research background in neuroscience and psychiatry, Dr. Horowitz explores whether antidepressants are being overprescribed, the challenges patients face when stopping them, the mismatch between clinical guidelines and real-world outcomes, and how public campaigns like Defeat Depression have shaped cultural attitudes. He also examines the role of the DSM-III in redefining psychiatry and considers the wider implications of viewing depression as a medical illness compared to a life response.
Dr. Mark Horowitz is a clinical research fellow in psychiatry and a practicing psychiatrist. He runs an NHS clinic dedicated to helping people safely taper off antidepressants and has published extensively on withdrawal effects and deprescribing. With a PhD in psychiatry and neuroscience, his work bridges molecular biology, clinical practice and patient experience. He is also co-author of The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines.
