The Nation reports that a group of researchers are questioning the effectiveness of antidepressants, saying they could be doing more harm than good.
Many antidepressants attempt to alleviate what their makers say is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, a complex molecule that has been linked to biological functions including mood, cognitive, and learning.
According to The Nation, there is little consensus among scientists that the medications effectively treat the root causes of depression.
The widespread use of drugs has been called into question by a small group of scientists. A meta analysis of 19 studies found that 75 percent of the effect of antidepressants could be attributed to the placebo effect.
If they are to be used at all, people will look back at the way they were prescribed.
It is near impossible to quit taking the drugs if you have a lot of withdrawal symptoms.
I would get a couple of hours of very broken sleep, and I would dread waking up, because I knew when I woke up, I would wake up. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff.
The pharmaceutical industry is heavily marketing the drugs as a way to treat depression on social media and TV, despite the fact that the use of antidepressants in the US is steadily rising.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 percent of all adult women in the United States used antidepressants in the last three years.
Messing with the brain's neurotransmitters can have negative consequences. Sex drive or a blunting of emotions are some of the side effects of SSRIs.
Most people think that FDA-approved drugs are free from life-threatening adverse reactions, according to a Utah-based psychiatrist who worked for the FDA.
Many of the patients that I would see would be on at least four or five drugs.
Considering the influence of the pharmaceutical companies that are directly profiting off each additional prescription, it is convenient to prescribe a pill.
It is a very complex topic, interwoven with hidden agendas and conflicting interpretations of existing studies. Many people who are experiencing depression have benefited from taking antidepressants, while others have found it difficult to wean themselves off.
The overall point of the piece is that taking more time to understand the needs of patients and maybe holding off on serious prescriptions until other options are exhausted seems fair.
The Nation has a story about breaking off my chemical romance.
Antidepressants don't always work. Doctors can peer into the brain to find the right patient.
Are you interested in supporting clean energy adoption? At UnderstandSolar.com, you can find out how much money you could save if you switched to solar power. Futurism.com may receive a small commission if you sign up through this link.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
