Postpartum Depression Article

Can Anti-depressants Be Harmful?

When you think about the term anti-depressant, you probably think that it is a medication that is supposed to keep you from being depressed. It would probably shock you to find out that most anti-depressant medications prescribed to treat depression conditions like bi-polar disorder can actually heighten the depressive state in some people, even causing some to have thoughts of suicide.

This tendency for anti-depressants to cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors has, in the past, been more of a problem for children and teenagers than for adults. Unfortunately, recent studies are showing that this is applying more and more toward adults as well. Obviously, it is troubling to think that if you suffer from depression and do nothing about it, you could end up committing suicide, but if you treat it, you could end up increasing your odds of attempting suicide too. What is being done about this?

Well, there are already warnings given to those who are about to take anti-depressants, letting them know about this possible side effect. It is currently being debated as to whether the warnings should be more prominent so that those who are considering taking these medications can make more informed decisions about the risks involved before it is too late.

Another option is to look for alternative treatment methods, such as intensive therapy and homeopathic remedies. Such things as diet and exercise can have a huge impact on our emotional well-being, in addition to the benefits to our physical health. Alternatives should always be discussed first with a medical or psychiatric professional, but if you are worried about experiencing the side effects of anti-depressants, it is a good idea to ask your doctor whether there are alternatives that will work for you.

At the end of the day, depression, especially if it is chronic and diagnosed as a more serious condition, needs to be treated. The odds of someone overcoming something like bi-polar disorder on their own is next to nothing. Unfortunately, the only treatment that has been found to be particularly effective for serious depression disorders is medication. As it stands, the drug makers have not found a way to eliminate the side effect of these drugs that might trigger a suicidal tendency in some patients, but one must weigh the pros and cons.

If you find that you are so depressed that you are teetering on the edge of suicide anyway, then you really have nothing to lose by trying the medication and see if it can aleviate your symptoms and help you live a better life. At the worst, you are going to know pretty quickly whether the medication is working, and if it is not then you can discuss it with your doctor. The idea here is to keep a strong line of communication open between yourself and your healthcare provider so that you can report how the medication is making you feel. If it is not working, then they can help you switch to a different medication that might work better.