Psychiatric medication needs expressed in peer-to-peer web-based interactions among individuals with depression and anxiety disorders: a mixed approach

Purpose This study aims to determine whether individuals’ needs related to psychopharmacotherapy are revealed in peer-to-peer interactions on web-based forums dedicated to people with depression and anxiety disorders. Design/methodology/approach On July 18, 2021, the authors searched for Polish-language forums focusing on depression and anxiety. From the 10 identified forums, the authors selected two with the highest users’ activity: depresja.ws (depression) and nerwica.com (anxiety disorders). A total of 160 posts from the depression forum and 122 posts from the anxiety forum, covering the period between 2006 and 2020, were collected using automated web scraping. The authors performed mixed-methods analysis of the posts including content analysis for the qualitative part and the Pearson’s?2 test for the quantitative part. Findings The total number of units of coding expressing needs was 494 for the depression forum and 360 for anxiety disorders. The most frequently identified needs were the same for depression and anxiety forums and involved informational, social life and emotional. The qualitative analysis revealed three main needs. First, users primarily sought and shared information about pharmacotherapy, focusing on symptoms and drug side effects. Then, requests for sharing experiences, offering hope and building community and emotional expression, especially the release of negative emotions. Research limitations/implications The study identified limitations primarily related to the data source and analysis methods. These included the inability to verify user identities or collect demographic details due to the anonymity of forums, potential underrepresentation of needs not explicitly expressed and the subjectivity inherent in qualitative analysis, despite efforts to standardize coding and ensure reliability. Additionally, the findings are context-specific to Poland’s unique socio-historical background, and the analysis excluded individuals without computer access, limiting the generalizability of results to other populations and settings. Practical implications Mental health professionals can use insights from web-based forums to better understand and address the needs of patients with depression and anxiety, tailoring treatment plans to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. Building trust through patient-centered care and addressing barriers such as misconceptions or fears can enhance therapeutic relationships and encourage treatment engagement. Additionally, improving health literacy with clear communication and reliable information empowers patients to make informed decisions about their care. Originality/value This study uniquely examines the specific needs of Polish users on medication-related forums, addressing not only informational needs but also emotional support, practical advice and social connection. By comparing forums for depression and anxiety, it highlights key differences in how these groups seek and use support.