4 popular myths about antidepressants

Let's dispel all myths scientifically!

Antidepressants are one of the most "terrible" medicines in the minds of many Ukrainians. They are accused of many side effects, talked about their ineffectiveness and are shrouded in many myths.

Although in fact, more often than not, all the "horror stories" about antidepressants are associated with their incorrect use, because often, if used correctly, they can actually help.

We have collected 4 popular myths about antidepressants and tried to figure out where the truth is.

Interestingly: according to the WHO, about 4% of the world's population suffers from depression. And this figure is growing every year

Antidepressants are addictive

Actually this is not true. Modern antidepressants are not addictive (we are now talking about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). And in modern practice, it is these drugs that are most often used.

The fact is that any substances that can cause addiction (for example, nicotine or drugs) will cause it in any healthy person: that is, you have never smoked, for example, then you started and got used to it. If you quit smoking, you will experience physical discomfort. It's the same story with drugs.

This does not work with modern antidepressants: they do not cause pleasure or any other pleasant sensations in a person. They simply smooth out a person's emotional perception of a particular situation: for example, if a person perceives a broken cup as a universal catastrophe, then antidepressants will help to perceive such a case simply as a broken cup, nothing more. A person will not experience any euphoria. Also, there will be no discomfort when the drug is canceled.

This myth most likely arose because some people who suffer from depression and feel better about taking the pill will see their symptoms return again when they are withdrawn. This may be, and this suggests that therapy has not yet been completed, and the causes of depression have not yet been eliminated. However, this does not mean that the person is addicted to antidepressants.

Antidepressants can help alleviate the symptoms of a condition, but they do not treat the cause. Therefore, in any case, it is necessary to look for the cause that caused certain emotional manifestations and eliminate it. Antidepressants will help to live more or less comfortably during treatment.

• Important: Please note that other types of antidepressants (other than the latest generation) can be addictive. Do not be afraid to talk to your doctor about this topic.

If the doctor prescribed an antidepressant, then I have a mental disorder

Not at all necessary. Antidepressants are prescribed not only by psychiatrists, but also by neurologists for a number of neurological diseases. And, as you know, neurology does not deal with the treatment of mental disorders.

"Antidepressants will kill my liver, it's better to drink herbs."

If you think about it, then many poisons of natural origin (the poison of the same puffer fish or ricin (these are plants)) can kill a person. And many natural poisons are used to prepare medicines. The whole question is in the dosage.

If we talk about antidepressants, then they are actually not toxic to the body if taken in the dosage indicated by the doctor.

Please note that any medication has a toxic dosage (even aspirin with paracetamol).

• Important: in no case should you use antidepressants, because a friend, sister or good acquaintance advised you on a drug. This approach to taking the drug can harm your health. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct drug, calculate its dosage and duration of administration.

Antidepressants disrupt the brain

As a rule, anxiety or depressive conditions, which a person does not treat, lead to disruption of the brain. This is a violation of concentration, and a lack of performance, and apathy, and rapid fatigability, and absent-mindedness. All these symptoms indicate that the brain needs help, and all of them, of course, will make a person's life much worse.

The task of antidepressants (if a person has an indication for taking them), on the contrary, is to help the brain return to normal.

Moreover, antidepressants cannot change your personality or make you someone else. They can only weaken excessive emotional reactions, anxiety, and so on, nothing more.

Remember, any drug can be a medicine, or it can be a poison. The whole question is whether there are indications for taking the drug, and in its dosage. Do not be afraid of antidepressants and do not believe in existing myths if your doctor prescribed them.

Be healthy!