Tonic or Toxin: Side Effects of Antidepressants

As my wife and I watch tv, we occasionally see a commercial for the latest and greatest pharmaceutical. We inevitably end up laughing at the dozens of side effects listed for a drug meant to treat one condition. You may have a drug for the treatment of a skin rash that has side effects like blood clots, seizures, sexual dysfunction, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, blindness and maybe death! As scientists attempt to alter one chemical in the body, they wind up affecting other physiological systems and natural functions. This is also true for psychotropic (psychoactive or psycho-pharmaceutical) drugs. After 25+ years of SSRI prescriptions, current studies are showing both the immediate and long-term side effects of these substances, much to the dismay of pharmaceutical companies, doctors and patients.
Why would companies continue to produce medication that is considerably ineffective and potentially harmful to their customers? According to IMS Health, sales of antidepressants in the United States alone surpassed $11 billion in 2010. That sounds like a lot of reasons to sell such products. The responsibility for the surge in sales lies with all involved - the pharmaceutical companies, the doctors and us, the consumers. Making an informed decision needs to be one of our top goals before taking any pill, especially one that is going to alter your mind. Even if a doctor recommends medication, take the time to learn about what it may, or may not, do to your mind and body. Discuss your findings with your physician and also discuss a time frame for cessation of treatment. Even if you need the medication to address an immediate need, especially a mild condition, that doesn't mean you should become dependent on it for the rest of your life.
Not only can the side effects from antidepressants be dangerous, but the effectiveness of the drugs tends to have declining results over time. Longitudinal (long-term) follow-up studies show very poor outcomes for people treated for depression in both hospital and outpatient settings, and the overall prevalence of depression is rising despite increased use of antidepressants (Moncrieff & Kirsch 2006).

Here are some of the most common side effects of antidepressants:

• amotivational syndrome - a psychological condition associated with diminished inspiration to participate in social situations and activities, with episodes of apathy (also stated as a general syndrome of indifference)
• heart problems
• hostility/aggression/violence
• sleep problems
• anxiety
• hallucinations/delusional thinking
• depression
• sexual dysfunction
• birth defects
• suicide/risk/attempts -  this is a warning to be taken seriously for adults and children taking SSRI's
• additional medication necessary - often, doctors will prescribe more drugs to treat the side effects associated with antidepressants which can add additional problems

This is not an exhaustive list nor does it address the various conditions associated with the prescription of antidepressants. The main goal of this piece is to raise awareness of the seriousness of side effects from psychotropic medications and to encourage consumers to be more proactive and in control of their health care.
Follow the links below for additional reading on this subject.


http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1025-us-antidepressant-sales-rise-to-11b-due-to-primary-care-docs/
http://chriskresser.com/the-dark-side-of-antidepressants
http://www.drugwatch.com/ssri/suicide/

Whether You Think You Can or You Can't...

Whether you think you can or can't, either way you are right. - Henry Ford

Which Came First - the Depression or the Insomnia?

The age-old question: Which came first - the depression or the egg? Or the chicken? No, wait - the insomnia! Do you find that you can't sleep normally at night because of depression? One thing is for sure - depression adversely effects sleep. But does one cause the other? Up until recently, no one would deny that depression causes irregular sleep habits. That is still true but recent studies have shown the opposite to be true as well. Insomnia, specifically, can lead to depression.

     Of all the symptoms associated with depression, insomnia has been a commonplace cohort. Insomnia, the inability to go to sleep or stay asleep long enough for at least 3-4 weeks, produces fatigue (big surprise, right?), irritability, memory problems, reduced concentration, weight gain, increased risk of heart disease and lowers the immunity system. The majority of physicians have echoed the sentiment that it would be cured as the depression was successfully treated (Carey, 2013). But, is it a one-way street? It's more likely that they play off of each other. Along with the traditional effects, evidence suggests that people with insomnia have a ten-fold risk of developing depression compared with those who sleep well (SleepFoundation.org).
     Historically, this relationship was thought to be clear - depression causes sleep disorders. Therefore, the consensus was treat the cause, cure the symptom. That idea has begun to shift. Rachel Manber, a professor in the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at Stanford, declares, “but we now know that’s not the case. The relationship is bidirectional — that insomnia can precede the depression.” (Carey, 2013) One poll, focusing on adolescents aged 11 to 17, found that of those reporting unhappy moods, 73% were not sleeping enough at night (SleepFoundation.org). Psych Central reports that two recent studies verify the link between sleep duration and depression (Wood, 2014). One, measuring sleep duration among twins, reported double the rate of depressive symptoms for those that slept 5 hours a night compared to those that slept 7-9 hours per night.
     Based on these findings, some changes in treatment and prevention should be considered. Some scientists claim that curing insomnia in people with depression could double their chance of a full recovery. How do you treat insomnia? Adding more prescriptions doesn't seem to be the answer. SSRIs, which often help improve mood, can cause or worsen insomnia. Positive results have been seen by using talk therapy and cognitive behavior therapy instead of drugs. "Optimizing sleep may be one way to maximize the effectiveness of treatments for depression, such as psychotherapy,” said Dr. Watson (Wood, 2014).
     The first step to getting help in this area is to keep a sleep diary for at least two weeks straight. Each day record how many hours you slept along with your mood the next day. You can take this to your doctor or therapist for help with treatment. Recommendations to treat insomnia can include:

• Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule
• Get into bright light soon after waking in the morning
• Get some form of exercise every day
• Avoid afternoon naps if you have nighttime insomnia
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, especially before bed time
• Avoid eating, reading or watching TV in bed

If you suffer from insomnia along with depression, be sure to discuss these recent studies with your doctor. As you begin to implement the strategies listed above, keep journaling your daily mood, noting changes in well-being as well as sleep quality. Over time, you should begin to see the positive changes you desire with sleep problems becoming the exception, not the norm. Nighty-night!

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/depression-and-sleep

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/health/treating-insomnia-to-heal-depression.html?_r=0

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/01/link-found-between-sleep-duration-and-depression/65322.html

Comfort and Strength

Psalm 147:3 

He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.

This Is Your Brain on Food: The Link Between Eating Well and Mental Health

One of the things I enjoy most about the current mental health awareness movement is the all-around (holistic) approach to health and wellness. There is a growing focus on healthy eating, exercise, emotional health and spiritual health. All of these are tied together and affect one another. An article I read yesterday discusses the link between healthy eating and mental health. Studies increasingly show the strong correlation between the two. What we eat doesn't just affect the weight on our scales, it affects the weight on our minds.
Please forward the article to anyone you know that would be encouraged today!
God bless!
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/04/03/powerful-connection-between-food-and-brain?cmpid=tp-ptnr-upworthy

Time to Turn North

How long have you been dealing with depression? Have you reached a point in your life where you are tired of struggling and ready to do what it takes to get better? Maybe that is reaching out for help or accepting the help that is available to you. Maybe that is making the necessary changes in your life that only you can make. I don't know what that looks like for you, but God does. I have struggled for years, always accepting the "fact" that I would always be depressed and there was nothing I could do about it. Finally, I reached a point in my life where I was tired of circling that mountain. There are still battles to fight, but the fight is well worth it. Is God saying this to you? Is He saying you have circled that mountain long enough? If so, it's time to turn north.

Empathy

 

#empathy #gameplanoffense #compassion