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Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed by doctors to patients for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Yet how effective are antidepressants in treating the symptoms of anxiety? Are they useful or are they an overpriced drug being pushed upon the public by the big pharmaceutical companies?
What are antidepressants and how well do they work?
Antidepressants are not sedatives or tranquilizers. These types of medical drugs are prescribed to correct chemical imbalances in the brain which is said to be the cause of depression disorder. They are not addictive. Antidepressants usually improve depression within the first few weeks of treatment. If there is no improvement, the doctor will start to experiment with different dosages or other types of antidepressant medication until improvement occurs. However, to say that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain is an oversimplification and possibly misleading. A chemical imbalance is most likely a symptom and not a cause of depression.
What can be the causes of depression?
Environmental causes — This includes experiencing repeated traumatic events such as violence, abuse or neglect.
Genetic history – If your family has a history of depression, it may increase your risk of developing depression.
Personality traits — Individuals with a low self-esteem and a pessimistic view of life are at a greater risk. People who suffer from an anxiety disorder is also at an increased risk of developing clinical depression if left untreated for multiple years.
What are the 4 things I hate about antidepressants?
#1: It has had a limited positive effect on my mood.
If I get really anxious and depressed, pills just don’t make a dent in my dark mood. Then I would rather prefer to be prescribed a sedative, since that would actually calm me down. Maybe I just expected more from it and therefore set myself up for disappointment. Antidepressants are not exactly the ‘happy pills’ we think they are.
#2: The negative side effects may outweigh the beneficial effects.
I point the finger at side effects such as constipation, nervousness and anxiety (!), urinary frequency, sleeping disturbances, hypomania and headaches. Although maybe I am being too judgemental. After trying three different brands and two altered dosages, we seem to have found some kind of balance that works.
#3: Antidepressants are not cheap.
Somehow I cannot shake the feeling that the pharmaceutical companies putting these medicines on the market are making a fat profit from depressed people like me. If it actually cured depression, well then I would gladly pay even more. The reality is that antidepressants cannot cure anxiety or depression, it can only manage the symptoms.
#4: Antidepressants can interact with other medicines or substances.
I can tell you one thing from experience and it is that you should not mix antidepressants, insomnia, fatigue, loneliness, remorse and alcohol together. You’ll be crying like a baby. Also watch out for certain herbs.
This is just my opinion. Other people coping with depression and anxiety may have different views and experiences. I would like to know what your opinion is, so you may wish to leave a comment.
