Along with other intervention techniques such as psychotherapy, antidepressants are a common intervention option for those suffering from depression. In most cases, patients are successfully treated with the first set of antidepressants they use. However, if the first one fails to work, a second and a third medication will follow, depending on the doctor’s evaluation. Yet a lot of people who could easily benefit from these drugs never use them due to the myths surrounding them. This article will examine some of these myths and attempt to illustrate the truth behind the use of antidepressants.
1.Effects on Brain Chemistry
The truth of the matter is that antidepressants’ effect on brain chemistry is not well understood. While some scientists have argued that antidepressants facilitate neuroplasticity – how the mind organizes and creates synaptic connections – others have argued that these drugs do not have any long-term effects on the brain after a person has stopped taking the drugs. Therefore, antidepressants effect on the brain is something that has not been wholly established, meaning any claims that these drugs immensely affect the brain should be treated with lots of caution.
2.Impact on Personality
Antidepressants don’t change the type of person you are. If anything, the use of antidepressants allows your personality to come out without an overlay of depression and anxiety. For that reason, any claims that antidepressants will change your personality are inaccurate and lack scientific backing.
3.Effects on Libido
There have been claims that antidepressants lower an individual’s libido. The truth is, the effects of these drugs on sexual function often vary among different individuals. Some may experience negative effects while others may experience positive outcomes. Since there is a possibility that depression itself could result in decreased libido, it would be inaccurate to pin such an effect entirely on antidepressants. Nonetheless, some patients may experience a decline in their sex drive when under medication, but this is reversible through switching to alternative medication or supplementing the antidepressants with other prescriptions.
4.Weight Gain
Although adding weight with antidepressants is an uncommon occurrence with newer medications, there are still possibilities it may happen. In case you gain weight as a result of taking antidepressants, your doctor may suggest other alternative medications or augment your medicines with other alternative options to reverse the gain of weight. Additionally, it’s always essential to attend to exercise and diet to try and control weight gain when taking antidepressants.
5.Antidepressants Interactions with Other Drugs
Although adverse interactions are not a problem with most antidepressants, they can occur. For that reason, it is essential to inform your doctor about the other drugs you are taking before you can start on your medications. This is important because it allows your doctor to choose options that could potentially minimize drug interaction outcomes.
Final Word
The most important thing when it comes to antidepressants boils down to seeking the right treatments for your depression. That said, beware of the existing myths on antidepressants and be sure you are having the right information regarding these medications.
