Why You Should Never Take Antidepressants
It’s no secret that antidepressants are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. In fact, according to a report from the CDC, nearly 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressants.
There are many reasons why someone might be prescribed them. Maybe they’re struggling with depression or anxiety. Maybe they’re dealing with a difficult life event, like the death of a loved one. Maybe they’re going through a tough transition, like starting college or getting a divorce.
While antidepressants can be helpful for some people, there are also a lot of risks associated with them. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why you might want to consider an alternative way of dealing with your depression or anxiety, rather than taking antidepressants.
10 reasons why you shouldn’t take antidepressants
1. Antidepressants come with a host of nasty side effects
The most common side effects include nausea, loss of sexual desire, and headaches. But that’s not all—antidepressants have also been linked to an increased risk of suicide in children and young adults.
2. Antidepressants don’t work for everyone
While antidepressants can be helpful to some people, they don’t work for everyone. This is because people respond to different medications in different ways. So, you may find that the first antidepressant you try doesn’t work for you.
3. Antidepressants can be addictive
Yes, you can get addicted to them.
While the drugs don’t generally contain any addictive substances, some people may find that they develop a dependence on them to make themselves feel better. Plus, they change the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them.
4. Antidepressants can make you feel numb
One of the most common complaints about antidepressants is that they make people feel emotionally numb. This can be a problem if you’re taking them to help with depression because part of depression is feeling sad and hopeless.
If antidepressants take away your ability to feel those emotions, it can make it harder to recover from depression.
5. Antidepressants can interfere with your sleep
Another common side effect of antidepressants is insomnia. This is because the drugs can interfere with your body’s natural sleep cycle.
So, if you’re taking them, you may find it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. As a result, you’ll likely feel more tired during the day, thereby adding to your fatigue and depression.
6. Antidepressants can make you gain weight
We’ve already mentioned some of the side effects associated with antidepressants, but one of the most common—and perhaps most troubling—is weight gain.
Many antidepressants will increase your appetite or make you crave certain types of foods, usually those high in carbohydrates. This can lead to quite severe weight gain that’s hard to shift.
7. Antidepressants can have long-term effects
At the end of the day, antidepressants are strong drugs that can have serious effects on your body, both in the short-term and the long-term.
Some studies say that people who take antidepressants for a long time may have an increased risk of strokes or seizures. Other research suggests that taking antidepressants may lead to kidney damage.
8. Antidepressants can be expensive
While the cost of antidepressants will vary depending on your insurance coverage, they can be quite expensive. For example, a month’s supply of 20mg of Prozac—one of the most common antidepressants—can cost over $500 if you’re paying cash!
And if you’re taking multiple medications, that cost can add up quickly.
9. Medicating your depression away is not the answer
Antidepressants aren’t going to “cure” your depression. They may help alleviate some of the symptoms, but they’re not going to fix the underlying problem.
If you’re only taking antidepressants because you’re too afraid or unwilling to deal with your depression more holistically, then you’re not doing yourself any favors, and you’re more likely to become dependent on them.
10. You don’t need drugs to deal with depression
There are plenty of natural ways to treat depression—exercise, therapy, meditation, etc.—that are both effective and safe. They won’t make you feel numb or interfere with your sleep, and they come without all the nasty side effects associated with antidepressants.
Conclusion
You have to do what’s best for you, at the end of the day. And the bottom line is, relying on any drugs—prescription or otherwise—to deal with your depression is not the best solution. At least not long term.
If you’re still considering taking antidepressants, be sure to do your research and talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. But also know that there are other options out there that may be more effective and less risky in the long run.