Photo: © mathom - Fotolia.com
- depressions
- Mode of action of antidepressants
- Side effects: Increased aggressiveness and thoughts of suicide
- No antidepressants in pregnancy
- Treat depression: Comprehensive strategies are better
depressions
To treat depression, antidepressants are often prescribed. From 2001 to 2011, consumption in Germany alone increased threefold, making it one of the top five drugs sold. Antidepressants can have dangerous side effects - experts are beginning to doubt its usefulness.
Mode of action of antidepressants
In depression, antidepressants rebalance the brain messengers and normalize the transmission of signals between the nerve cells. The effect of the pills often starts after about two weeks of use. Contrary to widespread prejudice, antidepressants do not make them dependent and do not change their personality. But you can still have a number of dangerous side effects .
Side effects: Increased aggressiveness and thoughts of suicide
In depression, various antidepressant drugs may be prescribed. The effect of some ingredients of psychotropic drugs is still not foreseeable. Especially the so-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are in the criticism. During therapy, they ensure that the level of serotonin in the body increases. Serotonin is also commonly referred to as happiness hormone - there is much of it, is also the mood of the patients affected by depression increase. However, if the drug is discontinued, various, sometimes dangerous disorders may occur. These include dizziness, aggressive behavior and suicidal thoughts. They could even provide the final trigger for the implementation of the crime, as the prominent case of Robert Enke showed, for example: he was on antidepressants at the time of his suicide.
No antidepressants in pregnancy
Pregnant women in particular should avoid antidepressants in depression because of dangerous side effects. For example, a number of new studies show that expectant mothers are at increased risk of high blood pressure. However, the consequences for the unborn child can be far more fatal: here the risk of autism is doubled, and the danger of a premature birth is also growing.
Treat depression: Comprehensive strategies are better
Experts agree that a timely therapy of depression is not just about antidepressants. For example, in the case of mild depression, it would be possible to do without pills on a trial basis. Instead, other measures such as psychotherapy are used for treatment. If there is no improvement, combined measures of antidepressants, psychotherapy and supportive therapies should nevertheless be used. Accordingly, exercise therapies such as sports or creative occupational therapies can help.
