Antidepressants are trending on TikTok. Clinicians urge context, not glamor.
Videos labelling SSRIs as a lifestyle accessory have millions of views. Experts say normal reactions, side effects and clinical judgement are getting lost in the trend.
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By Torontoer Staff
Antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are enjoying a viral moment on TikTok, with clips tagged “pretty girls take SSRIs” and “hot girls on SSRIs” reaching millions of views. Creators describe quieter inner voices and relief from panic, and some young viewers are responding by seeking medication.
Clinicians and researchers say the trend has two sides: destigmatizing treatment for serious mental illness, and flattening complex clinical decisions into brief, upbeat posts that can overlook side effects, alternatives and the difference between normal distress and a diagnosable disorder.
What the TikTok trend looks like
Many videos are personal updates. Creator Tiffany Kay told followers Lexapro felt like “poof,” a near-miracle that eased anxiety and improved sleep. Others report feeling emotionally blunted or experiencing sexual side effects. The format is short, direct and easy to share, which amplifies both enthusiastic and cautionary accounts.
Lexapro is a miracle drug and there is no shame in being on meds.
Tiffany Kay, content creator
The clinical picture, and what research shows
Guidelines note that antidepressants can help manage moderate to severe depression and can reduce anxiety in the short term. A Canadian-led review found SSRIs outperform placebo over four to 12 weeks for anxiety symptoms in adults, though long-term benefits and harms are less clear. Researchers have also documented persistent sexual side effects for some users, and withdrawal can include insomnia and sensory disturbances known as “brain zaps.”
- Common SSRI side effects: nausea, sleep changes, sexual dysfunction, weight fluctuations
- Possible withdrawal symptoms: sleep problems, dizziness, electric shock sensations
- Less-studied long-term harms and inconsistent evidence for adolescents and young adults
Why experts are uneasy
Clinicians caution that short social clips rarely capture diagnostic nuance. University of Calgary neuropsychiatrist Dr. Kimberly Williams says the trend risks selling SSRIs as a “happiness pill,” which can misrepresent who needs medication and when other supports are appropriate.
It’s presented as, 'this is a happiness pill and you’re going to have this perfect life.'
Dr. Kimberly Williams, neuropsychiatrist
Calgary child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Monique Jericho points to algorithm-driven communities that encourage self-identification and mimicry. She has seen increases in young people seeking diagnoses and in symptom contagion, such as tic-like behaviours after exposure to videos.
There’s a fascinating mimicry and a sense of belonging, both pieces that I think are in play.
Dr. Monique Jericho, child and adolescent psychiatrist
Some critics say clinical practice contributes to rising prescriptions. Dr. Allen Frances, emeritus professor of psychiatry at Duke University, argues that rushed primary care visits can lead to overprescribing, especially for teens and young adults whose difficulties may be situational.
Young women, rising rates and social factors
Antidepressant dispensing has risen markedly among young women. Statistics Canada data show increases in anxiety and depressive episodes among females aged 15 to 24 over the past decade. In 2023, data analytics firm IQVIA reported women aged 18 to 24 were prescribed antidepressants at more than twice the rate of men in the same group.
Experts point to biological, developmental and social factors. Adolescence brings greater social comparison and internalizing responses such as anxiety and depression. At the same time, social norms make it more acceptable for women to report emotional distress, and platforms that reward relatability can reinforce identification with symptoms.
What clinicians advise instead of or alongside meds
Clinicians and therapists say medication can be appropriate, but it should follow assessment and shared decision making. For many people mild symptoms improve with psychotherapy, time, stress reduction and community supports. For moderate to severe disorders, medication combined with therapy may be necessary.
- Seek a clinical assessment before starting medication, ideally from a provider who knows your history
- Ask about side effects, expected time to benefit and plans for monitoring
- Consider psychotherapy, social supports and lifestyle measures as first-line or adjunctive options when appropriate
- If already on medication, discuss ongoing benefits and harms with your prescriber before stopping
Voices from the trend and the clinic
Many creators emphasise collaboration with doctors. Tiffany Kay says she tried non-medical approaches for years before medication became necessary for her functioning as a parent. Others post candid updates about side effects, which has prompted more complex conversations online.
I tried to deal with it naturally for so long. Then it got to a point where I could not manage it myself.
Tiffany Kay
Mental health professionals interviewed for this piece urge public health messaging that normalizes a range of emotions and clarifies when clinical intervention is warranted. They want social platforms to be part of a broader conversation, not a substitute for clinical guidance.
Bottom line
TikTok has opened space for frank discussions of mood and anxiety. That can reduce stigma and encourage help seeking. It can also flatten complex medical decisions into shareable moments. For anyone considering antidepressants, the safest path remains a careful assessment, clear information about benefits and harms, and follow-up with a clinician.
mental healthTikTokantidepressantsyouthSSRIs
