Antidepressants Bring More Harm Than Good

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Antidepressants Bring More Harm Than Good
Every human may experience a change in mood. Sometimes, the person may be happy and energetic, while at other sad times, the person feels irritable and upset. Fortunately, these emotions do not last long, and it is only a matter of time before the person returns to their regular daily routine. Moreover, life is a rollercoaster, and sometimes we might feel gloomy and dejected for extended periods. One may lose interest in activities and get detached from everyday life. This phenomenon is called depression, and it increases the chance of risky behaviours. One of the treatments for depression is taking antidepressant medicines. These drugs act by elevating levels of certain neurotransmitters, which trigger the pleasure centers in the brain. This eventually makes the mood stable. Antidepressants can provide temporary relief and help a person feel better (Guibert 51). However, the findings suggest that antidepressants do more harm than good because they can cause a wide range of unpleasant side effects.
(Gould and Friedman)
As shown in the image, the use of antidepressants is rising by the day. These medications are used as first-line treatments for adults with mild depressive episodes. Many people may use them to battle various dysfunctions like anxiety disorder, effective seasonal disorder, dysthymias, and mild chronic depression (Read and Williams 177). An antidepressant aims to correct the chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters of the brain. Changing balance is not a good idea as it comes with its fair share of side effects.
The human body's response to an antidepressant is affected by the individuals' genetic makeup and present health conditions. It is vital to keep track of the side effects and discuss them with a doctor to prevent them from increasing. There are a variety of side effects associated with the use of antidepressants. Along with nausea and fatigue, the victim experiences a rise in appetite, which increases their weight (NORTH 39). As the condition progresses, the patients have insomnia, blurred vision, constipation, and drowsiness. It makes the person uncomfortable and makes them agitated and confused. Side effects of antidepressants in men may lead to erectile dysfunction and, eventually, loss of sexual desire.
Another less known side effect of an antidepressant is abnormal weight gain. This phenomenon first appeared when the drug called Prozac came into the market. There were initially no clinical symptoms as the trials lasted for eight to twelve weeks. It was later realized that the prolonged use of the drug increased appetite and led to obesity. According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, a person may experience weight gain after using antidepressants for six or more months.
One possible reason for the unexplained weight gain may be because of the affected appetite and metabolism (Alonso‐Pedrero et al. 1). As the antidepressants interfere with the uptake of hormones like serotonin, these changes may induce cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods. As a result, the individual ends up binge eating fattening foods like pasta, bread, and desserts and eventually gaining weight.
As the individual gains weight, they...