Besides the temporary side effects which are no big deal. People have told me that antidepressants are dangerous. If anybody has literature on this it would be greatly appreciated. I've been on these drugs for 5 years. They don't work and I hope I'm not screwing my head up even more for being on them. Of course my doctor says they are harmless
2006-09-13 16:42:56 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Antidepressants are far from benign drugs. There is an established direct link between suicide and violent behaviour and the use of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and sexual side effects are also common with SSRIs, such as loss of libido, failure to reach orgasm and erectile problems. Seratonergic syndrome is also a worrying condition associated with the use of SSRIs. There are also many negative side effects associated with TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).
The reason there are so many side effects with antidepressants, is really due to the lack of full understanding about how antidepressants, and depression, affect the brain.
2006-09-13 16:51:22 · answer #1 · answered by TY 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I dont know how much I would listen to the people telling you that they are harmless. They are dangerous. Especially today. So many doctors are just prescribing them automatically without seeking out other options or really even knowing the patients symptoms that well. My doctor swtiched mine 4 times and gave me countless changes in dosage. I was so screwed up for 2 years. I was more depressed than ever. Also getting off of them was a nightmare. If you sincerely believe you have the will power to get this under control the conventional way with exercise, talking to someone and just gaining control over yourself then good for you. That is the healthiest thing you can do. These drugs are dangerous no matter what anyone tells you and they are addictive even if they say they are not. Today so many people are addicted to these drugs and are just taking the easy way out rather than getting real help and making long term changes. The drug companies benefit from this. But how do we? I understand if someone is truly chemically imbalanced but sit back and think of how many people are on these. A chemical imbalance isnt as common as they make you think. People get depressed people go through things in life that make them down. It doesnt mean you have to be that way or even stay that way. Its unfortunately a mind set that society has given us (that you have to be dependant and cant fix it yourself).
2006-09-14 10:04:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is true that some antidepressants can cause dangerous side affects, yet some are completely harmless. But, if you are on the ones that are dangerous on I am sure that your doctor would have called for blood-work.
Even though I'm an MD, my "patients" never need prescriptions. So, I don't bother to keep a book around. I always go to www.drugs.com to look up my medications and I check out the professional information. It is available to anyone I would advise you to look up your meds there and discuss what you find with your doctor.
One question though, if you think that your meds aren't working, why are you still on them? Why hasn't your doctor changed them?
2006-09-14 00:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by Ann M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've been taking it for 5 years so the suicide issue shouldn't really be a concern of yours. This happens sometimes because they can at first make some people feel worse. It also happens because it makes people feel better and then they have energy to complete the suicide.
You say they don't work so why don't you discuss with your doctor cutting down and eventually stopping them? Then you can see what life is like without them and if it is comfortable for you or not.
The main issue for you is that there isn't any research on the long term effects of these drugs. This is why I feel that the only reason people should take them is because without them they have serious issues remaining functional in life. If this is not you, see about stopping them. Don't stop completely out of nowhere. You need to slowly stop taking them with the help of your doctor. If you see that you need something, then you can always try another type of medication.
It is true that there is a lot of questions about these type of drugs. But they are proven time and time again to be effective. If your life is ruined by depression or anxiety, they are your best choice. Good luck.
2006-09-14 02:25:57 · answer #4 · answered by prettyinpunkk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who do you think is paying for the research? Do you think the pharm. co. would let the truth get out?
I can only go by what I have seen as a nurse.
Some dangers are suicide (most suicides or attempted suicides that I have seen were pts. on anti-dep drugs), development of other severe mental illness like psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, and plenty of medical effects that can be assumed but not proved.
Of course the Doctors are going to say they are harmless, if everyone stopped taking them how will they earn a living?
It's a big booming business! You must decide if they are really worth it.
2006-09-14 00:35:17 · answer #5 · answered by erinjanae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The big "danger" associated with antidepressants is that some people get worst when they first start taking the medications... there is an increased risk of suicidal thinking. However, since you've been on them for quite some time, you are well out of the woods with regard to this risk. There is also a small risk of combining antidepressants with other medications that cause increased seratonin levels (Ultram, tramadol, some migraine medicines) that you can get "serotonin syndrome" which is usually characterized by nervousness, diarrhea, and feeling miserable. Overall, the SSRI's and SNRI's are very safe medications, and the risk of taking them is much less than NOT taking them. If you aren't having adequate response to them, please see your physician and talk about increasing the dose, changing medications, or seeing a psychiatrist for further evaluation. You could be bipolar, which responds poorly to "regular" antidepressants and requires different classes of medication to control symptoms.
2006-09-13 23:47:56 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
damn...is there something in the water? what's with all the youngsters being depressed? Be happy sheesh, go out and play don't make life complicated...no pressure, only guidance. I don't know of any literature...they only put a bunch of technical crap and make a human mind and human emotions seem like they can be controlled or 'helped' by way of a pill. The best remedy for any of this is time well spent, open minded and open hearted, with a loved one or loved ones. Just let it out for as long as you have to and you will naturally get out of it, just as you most probably got into this depression'* in a natural way...not by way of deppressing pills.
2006-09-14 00:04:45 · answer #7 · answered by dontkno 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have only heard one true statement that teens that take the prescription Prozac fall further into suicidal depression. pretty scary! I took the drug when i was a teen, and tried to kill myself after using Prozac for 6 months. I had come out of my depression, and boom! a couple weeks later, i was taking a handful of pills washed down with lots of alcohol.
2006-09-13 23:49:11 · answer #8 · answered by bobbie21brady 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have been on them for about 15 years now and have had no problem with them. I wouldn't worry. The only one that I did have a problem with was Prozac it made me suicidal, I promptly quit taking it.
2006-09-14 00:20:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are pretty harmless for the most part, some people with major depression tend to be suicidal though on them, and as with any drug there are adverse events here and there but theyre rare and far between
2006-09-13 23:48:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋