Research shows antidepressants do not work and can actually harm you. Killing yourself from the side effects is something that americans are prescribed.
In 2005 the Center of Disease Control and Prevention 's (CDC’s) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) tracked Americans using antidepressants for three years. The study concluded in 2008 that more than 1 in 10 Americans ages 12 and older have used an antidepressant drug. This study comes in the wake of a heated debate in the media about the effectiveness of antidepressants treating depression. Last year, antidepressants were the second most commonly prescribed medication, right behind drugs directed to lower cholesterol. With so many people in the United States relying on these drugs, it is easy to question if they are just expensive, overused placebos.
The first step to treating many of these new cases of depression is the prescription and use of antidepressant medication, however this has cause a mass flooding of our society with unnecessary prescription drugs. Due to the ease of treatment, primarily with prescription drugs, and the large range of severity in depression is often over diagnosed, adding to the problem.
Depression is a serious mental disorder that may be displayed by major episodes of sadness, restlessness, and loss of interest. Depression has several symptoms such as excessive sleep, increased or loss of appetite, aches, cramps, insomnia, and fatigue. It can affect anyone of all ages and may not be recognizable for those who are experiencing it. A medication called anti-depressants helps treat depression by altering the serotonin receptors levels. There are several types of anti-depressant medications such as Abilify, Celexa, Aplenzin, Asendin, and many more. There are individuals that may argue that anti-depressants are an over-prescribed medications. They believe that this medication can affect the patient’s mental status and inhibit self-control with this addictive drug. On the other hand, the opposition may argue that anti-depressants are not overly prescribed and that it should not be problematic because it is an accessible, helpful, and a quicker treatment. The debate of whether anti-depressants are an over-prescribed medication has been an ongoing controversial issue as evidenced by statements of supporters and those in opposition.
Depression is widespread public health concern of major significance. According to The World Health Organization (WHO) depression is within the top five leading causes of disability globally. The decline in the quality of life is accompanied with major distress and their capacity for social, interpersonal, and the physical role of functioning become debilitated in adults with this ailment. Many adults seeking help are disinclined to accept antidepressant medication to aid them in their recovery, or they simply are unable to tolerate the side effects of them. So, what other options do they have to aid them in their recovery?
One of them slid down like a black cobra, it drank up the green matter that flowed up to the top into a slow boil.” (Bradbury, 14) In our society the ambulance has to pick you up if any bad situation happens. The real world actually believes in the fact that any medical problems or violent cases. There are Depression treatments for those who critically depressed and those who go basic depression. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and support that works best for you. For example, if you decide to pursue therapy it may take a few attempts to find a therapist that you really click with. Or you may try an antidepressant, only to find that you don't need it if you take a daily half hour walk. Be open to change and a little experimentation. (http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-treatment.htm) People may say the meds that are used are a vice for the people who take the medication, and that they will make themselves even worse by using it and causing an overdose. That may seem true but anti-depressants are limited for people in small amounts. Reason is the side effects are too much in high
Depression is a very hard illness to cure, but, daily antidepressants and weekly or monthly therapy can help depression over time. Depressive symptoms can be temporarily “fixed” by antidepressants, but more than likely, the depression will set in again. Although, if you use the drug treatment and therapy, depression has a lesser chance of returning. A new study with 595 patients with major depression showed that the best treatment plan involves a combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy. Fred Duman, M.D. says, “Even patients prescribed medication alone need psychological attention. Knowledgeable clinicians can miss things like poor compliance, life stresses and substance abuse that can interfere with the medication’s working.” Furthermore, psychotherapy and antidepressants together can help cure depression, which is why depression should be treated this
As the literature remains inconclusive as to the relation between current major treatment modalities and depressive disorder, and given the extremities of the potential dangers of antidepressant medications, it is apparent that there is a need to develop new interventions, which show greater efficacy, safety, and acceptability.
If you are suffering from depression, you may be aware that prescription drugs also bring a lot of side effects. This is revealed in the findings that people who are already suffering from depression become even more depressed when they started the medication. There are some incidents in which patient’s condition deteriorated and they went on the verge of attempting suicide. The first step you are supposed to understand and realize is that your condition cannot be saved with pills. There are many things which you can do in this context and they are free of cost and they don’t bring any side effects. Here are a few remedies which you can take for depression.
Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work just as well as antidepressants when treating depression? How we perceive our depression is what helps to determine the type of treatment necessary. Antidepressants treat the common symptoms of depression rather than the condition while therapy helps change the thought process so the disease is cured in the end. Many studies are done to provide necessary information to what the answer to this question should be. The following articles provided studies that explained the effects of treatment with medication, with therapy, or a combination of both.
Although this is a fake way to treat depression, it does actually help the disorder depending on the person. Still, this effect is a huge hole in the credibility of antidepressants. On the bright side, there are some people who have had good cases involving only antidepressants. In other words, “Make no mistake: For many people, antidepressants do work. In fact, they can be life-saving.” (Web MD) Mainly stating that for some users antidepressants are all they need. Still it all comes down to the user or person, and what works the best on them personally. With it’s many flaws the other argument does make it’s vital points on the subject.
Children and adults should avoid antidepressants and find other alternatives to help alleviate the effects of clinical depression. Clinical depression can be caused in many ways, and people could handle depression in a variety of ways. Approximately 121 million citizens have depression ranging from all genders, ages, and backgrounds, (Moreh, O’Lawrence 293). Antidepressants have side effects that have been known to cause worse depression in those who take them. Unfortunately, there isn’t much research dealing with children and teenagers because of the sensitivity to doing studies on children (Baber). There should be other alternatives used to sway people from becoming dependent on antidepressants. According to David Hellerstein, professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Center, behavior therapy is a good example of an alternative. Antidepressants could become addictive and cause worse depression than a patient had previously.
Hook: The recognition of depression as a common mental illness should lead to studies regarding what form of treatment is best for a patient, but antidepressants seem to be the unimpressive go-to.
The depression pills did not work as I had hoped they would. There is no such thing as a miracle drug. After a month I refused to take them any longer. I felt like my pills were controlling my life so I was also weaned off the blood pressure medicine treating my migraines. I only remained on the two medications I absolutely needed: Synthroid for my Hashimoto’s disease and omeprazole for my acid reflux. I felt like I was beginning to take back control of my life. For some, this probably seems like a minute, irrelevant change in a world of chaos. But for those who are forced to live by their medications, especially at such a young age, this is a very large step in regaining freedom. I no longer feel as though my doctors, doctor’s appointments, medications, and medical testing control my life.
Depression is a serious mental illness that can be treated. Knowing the type of depression is important. A person may find the treatment that best suits them with the trial and error process. The severity of the depression means a more intensive treatment. Most people choose to take antidepressants rather than actually getting help with their problem. They shouldn’t rely on the medication alone; if they do it can bring unwanted side effects. All of the depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery usually has its ups and downs.