Is Depression Medication Really Worth The Use Considering Those Side Effects?

With the high percentage of depressed Americans (about 10 % of the population to be exact), it should come as no surprise that some form of depression medication is being administered to depression patients on an almost daily basis.

 

However, what should be more of a concern are the side-effects common to these forms of depression medication. Take the popular anti-depressant, Prozac. Many people take it for depression as well as premenstrual syndrome and panic attacks. In some cases it has even been experimented with in helping smokers to quit. For quite a while, the drug has been thought to have few side effects and many benefits. However, new studies are beginning to show that this isn’t true.

 

 

In as much as this depression medication may adjust the levels of serotonin in the brain (the chemical linked to happiness), this drug as unpleasant mental and physical side effects. Moreover, any improvement in a depression condition remains only as long as the drug is used.

 

The other popular depression drug commonly prescribed for depression symptoms is the controversial Zoloft. The most common side effects to this depression medication, according to the Zoloft web site are dry mouth, upset stomach, decreased appetite, fatigue, trouble sleeping, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, tremor, feelings of agitation, indigestion, and increased perspiration.

 

These side effects are even more pronounced in children who are prescribed this drug for child-hood depression. Other less mentioned, yet equally frightening symptoms of this so-called depression-help drug are liver problems, hallucinations, psychosis