Dangers of Antidepressants

We live in an age where there is a pill for everything. The importance of many modern drugs that have been developed in recent decades should not be diminished, but sometimes their abuse and intentional misuse can become a serious problem. A typical example of this is with antibiotics and steroidal drugs. They have been so over-utilized for so long that their continued use has become questionable because so many of them are ineffective due to increased development of resistance by bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms. Perhaps resistance to antidepressants will never become a problem for the people taking them, but do doctors today rely too heavily on them?   There is no doubt of the tremendous importance of antidepressants in medical practice today, but should they be handed out to every patient who walks through the door reporting that they feel sad because they have marital issues or their pet died? Antidepressant drugs; like almost all prescription drugs have side effects and some of them can be detrimental. Is it worth the health issues and side effects that go along with handling these kinds of drugs out to people who are not suffering from true clinical depression? The following risks are associated with antidepressants that are classified as SSRIs or “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors” like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and others.  

Liver Function

  Due to the way antidepressants are processed by the liver, there might be undesirable interactions with other prescription drugs, particularly paroxetine and fluoxetine. Antidepressant medications may interfere with the effects of these drugs and cause them to become less effective. Old age is also a higher risk factor because the liver function of old and mature people is not as efficient as it is in younger people.  

Involuntary Movement

  Not all of the effects antidepressant medications have on the brain and nervous system are understood, Side effects often show that some medications have a strong tendency to affect systems in the body that have no link with the condition they are meant to treat. A typical example is the involuntary movements experienced by people taking antidepressants. These may include muscle repetitive muscle movement, tics, spasms, rigid or trembling extremities, compulsive restlessness, and loss of fine motor control.  

Serotonin Syndrome

  Antidepressants work by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain. Since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can help promote pleasant feelings, it can often help enhance mood and remove depressive mood and feelings. While increased levels of serotonin may be good for a person’s mood, too much can be hazardous to mental health. People on antidepressants medications who take other medications or even some herbal supplements that can also raise serotonin levels can put themselves at risk for serotonin syndrome. This condition can trigger dangerous symptoms like rapid heartbeat, high fever, and even delirium. Both doctors and patients need to be sure that any other drugs they are taking in addition to antidepressants will not cause these kinds of dangerous interactions  

Physical Symptoms

  Several people who take antidepressants experience unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, bones and joint pain, insomnia, digestive track issues, muscle pain, and skin rash and infections. Other serious potential side effects that are possible include the reduced ability of the blood to clot after cut from injuries, inflammation, which increases the risk of stomach and uterine bleeding and elevates their risk for higher-than-normal blood loss during surgery or other medical procedures. People who also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) pain relievers like ibuprofen are also vulnerable to the same risks. There is an exponential increase in risk factors for people who are on antidepressant medication and also taking NSAID medication simultaneously.  

Withdrawal

in some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed with the idea of helping some people to get through a very difficult and unpleasant period in their lives like during the loss of loved ones, or in cases of temporarily developed psychological issues and are not meant to be used long-term. In these cases, people will eventually stop taking them but should beware that antidepressants should not simply be stopped, and should have their dosage gradually minimized over time until they are completely through with the medication. Symptoms of withdrawal can be tough and may include fatigue, blurred vision, seizures, influenza-like symptoms, anxiety and irritability, crying spells, loss of coordination, tingling, and insomnia.   When taken correctly, antidepressants will not change your personality, but according to leading medical experts, long term antidepressant users are risking permanent damage to their body