Update: There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them | Dean Burnett

The Guardian — Politics has reported on “Update: There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them | Dean Burnett,” presenting it as the central development in the source material available for this brief.

The idea that GPs are ignoring guidelines and ‘overprescribing’ doesn’t hold water. The report also notes that Instead, look to our social and economic crises Dean Burnett is a doctor of neuroscience A new NHS report has revealed the highest ever levels of antidepressant use recorded in England, with roughly one in seven people prescribed an antidepressant item in 2025-26. This has resulted in a swathe of media coverage expressing alarm over the increase, with questions about what could, or should, be done to reverse the trend. Such a high level of antidepressant use should, of course, prompt concern and reflection. But the popular claim that has taken hold is that antidepressant use is too high because of “ overprescribing ”, as Dr John Read, a professor of clinical psychology, states in the Daily Mail. This is the idea that patients are being prescribed antidepressants when they shouldn’t be, or when better, safer alternatives are available. Dean Burnett is a doctor of neuroscience and the author of The Idiot Brain and Emotional Ignorance

Any statements, estimates or characterisations remain attributed to the people or organisations identified by the source. The excerpt alone does not provide a complete documentary record or necessarily include responses from every party involved.

Official statements or subsequent reporting may add context as the story develops. For now, this account is confined to information directly supported by the provided headline and excerpt.