Antidepressants: Improving Mental Health

The World Health Organization considers depression to be a leading cause of disability worldwide. “People routinely say that depression is the worst thing that’s happened to them,” Coplan says. “And the reason that’s offered is that their brains don't work properly. They can’t make decisions and they aren’t sure of themselves — everything requires huge mental effort.” (Vann, 2017, p. 2). Since people claim depression is similar to a tragedy in their life, treatment is necessary to overcome this obstacle. Treatments for depression are important for improving mental and physical health. Antidepressants are drugs used for treating excessive depressive episodes. However, antidepressants are not only for depressive conditions, but also other disorders
Many people are unaware that they have symptoms of a mental illness; however, they see a physician every year to check their physical health. “Olfson found that most people with untreated depression make at least one visit annually to a primary-care doctor. If depression screening and mental health services were integrated into primary care, he said, there would be better access to assistance and awareness about the illness.” (Buffalo News, 2017, p. 2). Depression and other mental tolls do not only affect one’s mental health and stability, but adds a great deal of stress on the body as well. Depression often causes physical pain such as, erratic sleep habits, extreme change in appetite, headaches, and muscle pain, but treatment will help with living a healthier lifestyle. (Marano, 1999, p. 8). Antidepressants help de-stress and fight for a healthier body. Several people who have taken antidepressants claim that they feel refreshed and genuinely happy, for example Look back @ article & who said this said, “In a couple of weeks I just felt a lot calmer, a lot more centered, and more motivated to actually do something” (Reddy, 2017, p. 3). As a result, medication for mental illness leads to better performance and focus at work, school, and everyday life. However, it is very difficult to diagnose and treat depression if people do not admit they need help, Depression is not an
However, news coverage and media has over exaggerated the risk of antidepressants. According to Docksai, (2009) “Warning labels meant to protect young people might be doing them more harm than good.” (p. 1). Media casts have reported that antidepressants are pointless since they will not magically heal the chemical imbalance in the brain, however, neither will sitting around doing nothing. Antidepressants are a step towards feeling better, and in the long run that’s all we really want, to feel good. (Marano, 1999, p. 3). “FDA warning was based on studies in 2003 that found about 1% of adolescents and young adults experienced an increase in suicidal thinking after starting antidepressants” (Freyer, 2014, p. 2). Although there is still a slight increase in people who had suicidal thoughts after starting medication, if doctors were to better monitor their patients this may reduce the risk of suicidal action. “The best way to help depressed and suicidal patients is to closely monitor them and prescribe drugs whenever appropriate: we can do more good by encouraging treatment for all depressed children and adults.”(Docksai, 2009, p. 3). People should not be afraid of what treatment would do to them, they should consider the risk of under treatment. “At least 90% of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable and potentially treatable mental