My reaction to an article defending antidepressants

/ annasbrainstorm

I just wanted to write a quick reaction to a recent article in the Guardian about antidepressants, as this is something relevant to what I have been blogging about and still perceived as a controversial topic.

The article titled ‘Antidepressants work, so why do we shame people for taking them?’ talks about the stigma attached to those taking the pills and the need to stop the shaming because antidepressants do work.

I understand what is the article trying to argue and the author’s motives however, I do have a number of problems with it.

I have been an advocate of natural approach to mental health but I realise that people suffering from serious depression and mental health disorders do need that first emergency help which often is in a form of medication.

I’m the last one to judge as I used to take Xanax and Sertraline. But going through the cycle of anxiety and panic attacks linked to my diagnosis I realised a few things about the over-usage of medicines. This realisation made me see a number of problems with antidepressants and consequently with the abovementioned article.

Firstly, antidepressants are not there to ‘treat’ or ‘cure’ depression or other mental health problems. They only work as an emergency anchor that might get rid of the immediate symptoms, but not the cause.

Hence, I strongly disagree that they should be taken over a long period of time.

Secondly, the bigger issue is not as much with the pills themselves but with the over-prescription and unnecessary use. In the UK in particular, the NHS is under a massive strain and due to the insufficient counselling services many GPs resort to prescribing antidepressant in order to resolve mental health problems that should be dealt with differently.

Thirdly, I would never shame anyone who takes them and I am well aware that there are many grades of seriousness of depression that require complex medical help. Nevertheless, I also think that we live in a society that tends to over-medicate and look for quick and easy solutions.

I could have easily stayed on antidepressants and take Xanax everytime I’m feeling anxious but I made a conscious decision to take the other path. The decision wasn’t easy because it required continuous work and results did not come straight away. I know this may sound harsh, but life is not easy and to me being on antidepressants is often an easy escape, a form of denial or an attempt to avoid reality.

Lastly, there still is a lot of unknown about antidepressants and despite the benefits, the side effects and long-term consequences can sometimes be more damaging than useful. I find it baffling that when you read the Patient Information Leaflet for antidepressants, some of the side effects can be depression and suicidal thoughts. It is ironic.

What is more, according to recent findings by investigative programme Panorama, there is a link between the use of Sertraline and homicides. It is chilling.

 

This was supposed to be a brief reaction so I will end it here. I’m sure that some of you will not agree with my views and I’m happy to read yours in the comments.

2 thoughts on “My reaction to an article defending antidepressants”

  1. Dr David Hawkins (Transcending the Levels of Consciousness) says that antidepressants don’t cause homicides or suicides but they sometimes raise people from the consciousnesses level of Apathy where they lack the energy to take action to a higher one where these options become available. Highly recommend that book. Thanks for writing. Great blog.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to Mark Louis Cancel reply