Why Anti-Depressants Can Cause More Harm Than Good

Life for you may have been difficult lately. Perhaps you've lost your job, or have been ill, or someone you love has been ill or even passed on. You might not even know exactly why you are feeling down. You just know that it is difficult to get out of bed and get moving in the morning. You may even be wondering if life is worth living.

Most people who feel this way go to their doctor. They related to their primary care physician what they are feeling. A good doctor will do an exam and run some tests to be sure you're not having any physical issues, such as low thyroid, which may be the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you check out physically, or if your doctor sees no need for the tests, you will most likely be prescribed an anti-depressant.

Would you believe that around 30 million people in the United States have had anti-depressants prescribed to cope with anything ranging from the blues to clinical depression? You or a loved one might even be one of them.

There are a number of debilitating side effects of these medications:

• Can interfere with depression resulting in nausea, constipation, diarrhea


• Can interfere with sleep causing both insomnia and sleepiness as well as fatigue


• Loss of sex drive


• Increased anxiety and depression


• Suicidal thoughts, despair or acts

There is a saying, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you will keep getting what you're getting." One of my concerns is that there are now drugs being advertised that say if your antidepressant isn't working, take this new drug. Won't these new drugs just continue to add more side effects?

The prescribing of antidepressants results in issues not contained in the side effect information.

1. Many people enter into the abuse of other prescription drugs. There seems to be the thought that if the antidepressant isn't working, maybe an anti-anxiety medication will work. This is the pathway to addiction to prescription drugs.

2. The underlying cause of depression is not addressed. It is cheaper for insurance companies to have you on medication rather than pay a therapist to assist you in sorting through what is causing your emotional down-turn.

3. When you don't confront the underlying issue, you are prevented from growing as an individual. The underlying pain that could be resolved through means other than medication can be preventing you from having the energy to enjoying life to the fullest.

The instinct to pop a pill to feel better can cause more problems than you can know.