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Antidepressants – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, August 07, 2018 by

Antidepressants are a class of drugs typically prescribed to treat depression. They can also be used to treat other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These drugs aim to correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain that are believed to be responsible for changes in mood and behavior. Antidepressants take several weeks to produce noticeable effects.

There are different types of antidepressants: serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAS), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and noradrenaline and specific serotoninergic antidepressants (NASSAs).

In the U.S., the percentage of people aged 12 years old and above using antidepressants increased from 7.7 percent in 1999 to 2002 to 12.7 percent in 2011 to 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Known side effects of antidepressants

Antidepressants can cause the following side effects:

  • Agitation or irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Fatigue
  • Increased appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of sexual desire or other sexual problems
  • Nausea

Antidepressants can put one’s health at risk. These drugs can increase the risks of serotonin syndrome, hyponatremia, diabetes, and suicidal thoughts.

Body systems that may be harmed by antidepressants

The body systems harmed by antidepressants include the nervous, digestive, reproductive, and immune systems.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent antidepressants’ side effects

Foods that prevent the side effects of antidepressants, such as anxiety, include whole grains, seaweed, blueberries, acai berries, almonds, chocolate, and maca root.

Treatments, management plans for the antidepressants’ side effects

Natural treatments for the side effects of antidepressants, particularly anxiety, include chamomile, green tea, hops, Valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, lavender, omega-3s, exercise, meditation, and sauna.

Where to learn more

Summary

Antidepressants are drugs prescribed to treat depression.

Antidepressants can also be used to treat other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Antidepressants cause agitation or irritability, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, increased appetite, insomnia, loss of sexual desire, nausea, and sexual problems.

Antidepressants can increase the risks of serotonin syndrome, hyponatremia, diabetes, and suicidal thoughts.

Sources include:

MedicalNewsToday.com

NHS.uk 1

NHS.uk 2

EverydayHealth.com

CalmClinic.com

Health.com



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