Based on recent reports, an estimated 21 million adults in America are currently living with depression. It also affects more than 3 million children and teenagers. In reality, those numbers may be far higher because not everyone who suffers from depression has been diagnosed.
Antidepressants are a common treatment for this condition. Several of them are on the market right now along with an array of additional help for mental health issues. Many people shy away from antidepressants, though, because of certain prevailing myths about these medications. Take a look at some of the most common myths surrounding antidepressants and the actual underlying truth.
1) Antidepressants Are Instant “Happy Pills”
One common misconception about antidepressants is that they’re magic pills that instantly make people happy and drive away all signs of depression. That’s not the case. In truth, these medications gradually help to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain. While that alleviates the symptoms of depression, antidepressants don’t generate a sense of euphoria or instantly eliminate negative thoughts or feelings. It may take several weeks for antidepressants to fully take effect. Even then, they’re simply a tool to help make depression more manageable.
2) Antidepressants Are Addictive
There’s also a prominent belief that antidepressants are addictive. In reality, most antidepressants aren’t. Unlike drugs that create dependency, many antidepressants don’t cause cravings or a need to increase the dosage to achieve the desired effects. If someone suddenly stops taking antidepressants, he or she may experience withdrawal symptoms, but that doesn’t inherently mean they’re addicted.
3) Antidepressants Are Only for People With Severe Depression
Many people also believe that antidepressants are only for those who suffer from severe depression. Actually, they can be prescribed for virtually any degree of depression. They’re also helpful for an array of additional mental health issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even some medical conditions that cause chronic pain. Whether antidepressants are right for a person depends on his or her specific symptoms and the impact they have on that person’s daily life.
4) Antidepressants Change Your Personality
Quite a few people think that antidepressants alter a person’s personality. That’s simply not the case. These medications help to alleviate the symptoms of depression without changing a person’s personality traits. They help people regain a sense of normalcy by reducing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, and emptiness. They help people take pleasure in things they once enjoyed before depression took hold. They basically restore a person’s true personality, but they don’t actually change who you are.
5) Antidepressants Inevitably Cause Weight Gain
Another common myth is that all antidepressants inevitably cause weight gain. Though some common antidepressants have been linked to weight gain, that’s not necessarily the case with all of them. Some of the newer antidepressants on the market haven’t been found to make people gain weight at all. At the same time, antidepressants can help people find a renewed interest in exercise and improved physical health. In turn, that might help them to lose weight.
Turning to Antidepressants for Help with Depression and Other Conditions
Antidepressants can help treat depression as well as other conditions. Several types are now on the market, each with its own unique traits and benefits. Though they’re not instant happy pills, they can gradually reduce the effects of depression and help people return to their normal lives.
They’re not addictive, and they don’t completely change people’s personalities. Though some may contribute to weight gain, they don’t inevitably cause people to pack on extra pounds. Separating these common myths from reality is essential. It may encourage people who’ve been avoiding antidepressants to reach out for help and take advantage of the positive effects these medications can have.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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