Teen Depression : Is It Really Doing What It Should?

1332 Words6 Pages
Depression is a prodigious issue in today’s society and is especially prevalent in teens. According to teen depression statistics, around 20% of teens have or are currently experiencing depression symptoms. And that doesn’t include self- harm or suicide/attempted suicide. Because depression is becoming such a major issue, antidepressant prescription has skyrocketed; but is it really doing what it should? If antidepressant use is increasing, why are the numbers of depressed teens growing or remaining the same? I believe that though antidepressants can be helpful in some cases, they tend to cause more side effects and problems in the long run. Alternative options have been proven to work just as well without the incredibly surprising and potentially serious side effects of antidepressant drugs. When antidepressants were first introduced, they were seen as a miracle drug for those struggling with depression; an amazing and innovative “happy pill” for those who were clinically depressed. In their beginnings as new drugs, they were not prescribed unless necessary. These days, however, antidepressants are prescribed at even the possibility of even depression symptoms. I have a friend, Tiffany, (not her real name) who told me about a time she went to the doctor and was prescribed antidepressants simply because she sometimes felt sad. Doesn’t this seem like overkill? Everyone feels sad sometimes; and though that can occasionally be a precursor to depression, it seems
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