Doctors Giving Antidepressants to People Who Aren't Depressed: Bad Idea?

(CBS) Antidepressants are for depressed people, right? Doctors don't seem to think so. They're prescribing the drugs for lots of patients who have never been diagnosed with depression, according to a new study.

The study, conducted at the University of Manitoba, showed that 26.3 percent of people who had taken an antidepressant in the past year did not meet the diagnostic criteria for depression. And that suggests that millions of people are needlessly being exposed to side effects, including headaches, weight gain, and sexual problems, according to one of the study's authors.

"We cannot be sure that the risks and side effects of antidepressants are worth the benefit of taking them for people who do not meet criteria for major depression," said Jina Pagura, a medical student at the university, Reuters reported. "These individuals are likely approaching their physicians with concerns that may be related to depression, and could include symptoms like trouble sleeping, poor mood, difficulties in relationships, etc. Although an antidepressant might help with these issues, the problems may also go away on their own with time, or might be more amenable to counseling or psychotherapy."

Dr. Jitender Sareen, a professor of psychiatry at the university and another of the study, said people should try to address the underlying cause of problems like relationship difficulties and trouble sleeping before turning to medication, Aol reported.

"Although an antidepressant might help with these issues, the problems may also go away on their own with time or might be more amenable to counseling or psychotherapy."

The study was published in the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry."

Fifteen million American adults experience a major depression during any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That's about 6.7 percent of the population.