"Why numb yourself? It's bizarre." Kristen Stewart has some questionable views on antidepressants.

Image: Getty.

Kristen Stewart‘s really been coming out of her shell on her current press tour, and while a lot of her commentary has been thought-provoking, her most recent interview is a little… questionable.

Among other topics, the 25-year-old actress has shared her thoughts on the prevalence of mental illness medication with The Daily Beast, going on to describe anti-depressants as “bizarre”.

“I know a lot of people on meds who don’t have mental health issues. Not all emotional issues are ‘mental health issues.’ They do not all hold hands,” Stewart, who was catapulted to international stardom by the Twilight series, tells the website.

Her interviewer then remarks about his friends who have stopping taking medication for their depression and anxiety, saying they “seem so much better” and are “rawer emotionally, but more real.”

“Yeah. As far as we know, you have one shot at this and it can be so fucking beautiful, so why lessen the feeling of anything? Why numb yourself? I’m not on antidepressants. I think it’s bizarre,” Stewart responds.

Oh dear. Where to begin? The treatment of depression — and how it affects people — is far from straightforward.

For people who experience moderate or severe depression or anxiety, antidepressants can be an effective medical treatment. (Post continues after gallery.)

Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist when alternative treatments haven’t worked or aren’t appropriate for that individual’s case. Factors like age and symptoms are always taken into account and they’re sometimes used in conjunction with therapy.

Generally speaking, this medication is designed to correct the balance of chemical messages in the brain that are associated with mood disorders like depression. In doing so, they can offer much-needed relief for the pervasive, often debilitating symptoms of these conditions.

This is why Stewart’s suggestion that antidepressants are bizarre because we only have “one shot” in life and shouldn’t opt to be “numb” is problematic — and inaccurate.

The decision to seek treatment for mental illness can be a challenging, ultimately life-changing one for someone suffering from a mental illness.

"There is still a big stigma about taking medications to improve your mood or to treat a mental health condition... A lot of people who take antidepressants are in need of them, they're not prescribed lightly by GPs and psychiatrists," says Sydney psychologist Maria Faustino.

"[Antidepressants] don't actually work by numbing your feelings. They treat some of the biological causes, like imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, that have an effect on your mood. It's no different from taking any prescribed medication by your doctor."

The effect of antidepressants can vary significantly from one patient to the next, and often it involves a period of trial and error to determine the correct dosage and medication for an individual's needs.

Faustino says the effects of antidepressants, and any side effects, can take weeks to become evident — and for some people, they can be largely emotional. "Some of my clients have said [antidepressants] have made them feel a bit flatter emotionally, that it's harder to experience positive or negative emotions," she explains. (Post continues after gallery.)

"At the same time, those people who continue to use them under careful supervision, they usually make that decision because they understand the gains from the medication are bigger than the side effects."

Regardless, it's important for individuals to discuss any side-effects with their medical provider, because it might be a case of a wrong fit.

Ultimately, mental illness treatment is an active choice on the individual's part (with recommendations from their GP or psychiatriast, of course). Kristen Stewart claims she wouldn't take anti-depressants, but that doesn't mean others should feel shamed into following her lead.

"Every person has the right to choose whatever treatment they think is best, and not to be stigmatised and judged for it. Everyone's different, some people don't need the medication and some do," Faustino says.

Have you ever used antidepressants? Do you think they're misunderstood?