Antidepressant Dangers

Antidepressant dangers have been getting plenty of bad publicity lately, mainly because of mounting evidence that the medications may be doing more harm than good. Medline Plus, a medical website sponsored by the federal government, reports that more than 20 million Americans suffer from depression. The condition usually commences between the ages of 15 and 30. Generally, the symptoms can include profound sadness, insomnia, weight loss, loss of energy and suicidal thoughts.

Function

• Chronic depression is also known as dysthymia. Clinicians once believed that depression was caused by the negative thoughts and feelings of the patient. However, research indicates that the condition may be connected to a variety of origins, including genetics, environment, nutrition, physical links and chemical changes in the body. Antidepressants are typically prescribed as a treatment for these mood maladies. Currently, antidepressants are the most commonly prescribe medications in America. The drugs are not only given to patients for combating depression but also other disorders, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Antidepressant Types

• The National Mental Heath Information Center states that there are currently three categories of medications used to treat people diagnose with depression: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

  There is a direct association between depression and low levels of the neurotransmitters. The body has three natural chemicals that function as neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are known as monoamines. Their job is to transmit pulses from the nerve cells to other cells in the body. Tricyclics medication, such as Elavil and Tofranil raise the quantity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the body.

  After they perform their tasks, the excess monoamines are automatically dissolved by an enzyme contained in the brain and liver called monoamine oxidase. Monoamine oxibase inhibitors, which are prescribed under the names of Nardil and Parnate, prevent this from occurring.

  SSRIs, marketed under the names Celexa, Pacil and Prozac, work the same way as tricyclics, except they only raise the level of serotonin. They are the most common depression pharmaceutical issued by doctors, generally because there are fewer side affects.

FDA Warnings

• In late 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a mandate requiring pharmaceutical companies to add a warning on the packaging of all antidepressant medications regarding the increase risk of suicide by adolescent and children taking the drugs. When the FDA modified the pregnancy risk of the drug Paxil (in December 2005) from a category C to D. Category C denotes evidence of risk to fetuses, but indicate the risk has to be offset by any potential benefits. The Category D rating was in response to substantial evidence that the medication was directly associated with an increased risk of harm to the fetuses of pregnant women, but is still needed despite this risk.

PLoS Medicine Study

• PLoS Medicine is an independent medical journal that refuses to accept money from pharmaceutical firms. In February 2008, they analyze the clinical trials of all studies that were submitted to the FDA. They came to the following conclusion: " Meta-analyses of antidepressant medications have reported only modest benefits over placebo treatment, and when unpublished trial data are included, the benefit falls below accepted criteria for clinical significance." When this information is viewed in the context of the potential side effects of antidepressants, such as weight gain, nausea, headaches, sleep deprivation and even violence, the study takes on even more significance.

Tips

• Before undergoing any conventional or natural treatments for depression, or if you have a love one experiencing this condition, people who are able should conduct their own research into the condition. Another option is to have a relative, friend or spouse assist you. You'll need to understand what is known about available treatments and antidepressant dangers. Prepare a list of questions for your health-care provider and make sure that you understand the repercussions before concurring to antidepressants or any other treatments.