Health And Wellness Center: Long-term effects of antidepressants

Unfortunately, not much is known about the long-term problems that can arise from the use of antidepressants. In the United States, some antidepressants have been around for more than 50 years; but new drugs that act as selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are available from about 20 years ago.

To this effect, neither 20 nor 50 years of existence is too, although one would think that by now any obvious problems have arisen with antidepressants. Anyway, there is no conclusive long-term data on the risks of these drugs.

While it is simplistic to think that any medication carries risks long term, it is equally dangerous to ignore those very real risks associated with untreated depression, such as the effect on quality of life of the individual and the risk of suicide. Before taking the decision to take antidepressants, you should always talk with the prescribing physician on the balance between risks and benefits.

More is known about possible side effects in the short term. As with most drugs, the list of possible side effects of antidepressants is long and among these are dry mouth, dizziness, headache, constipation, sexual problems and many others. In a subgroup of patients, antidepressants cause weight gain. Some antidepressants increase the risk of certain heart problems.

In children and adolescents, antidepressants have been linked to increased risk of suicide, possibly because of its uncanny ability to induce unbearable internal restlessness. It is not known whether there are lasting consequences for the fact pose some short-term side effects.

However, not all side effects are negative. Some types of antidepressants are sedating, which could benefit sleep when sleep is difficult. Others, however, seem to favor the vitality, which benefits patients whose depression makes them less energy.

The antidepressant prescribing is based largely on empirical evidence and clinical experience; ie to observe what works and what does not work. a drug in the hope that the person feel better and then the treatment is continued for as long as is necessary to prevent symptoms reappear that first prompted the patient to seek treatment tested. Sometimes, it is a process of trial and error, to determine the most effective drug.

However, depression is often reappear. After an event of depression, the person is about 50% more likely to present a second event. When that happens, there is a 75% chance of suffering a third event and, thereafter, that person will very possibly recurring events of depression throughout his life.

The decision on the time of administration of antidepressants should be based on the personal situation of each individual. You and your doctor need to think about the answer to the following questions: What is the positive medication? and what the advantages outweigh the risks, both short and long term?

You do not mention if you tried psychotherapy. Worth a try or do it again, if he did as before. Research has shown that for mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy alone can be as effective as medication. If that is the case, perhaps psychotherapy can allow stopping the drug for longer periods or completely. For deep depression, treatment outcomes are better when medications and psychotherapy are used, complementing each other.