Just What Are You Being Spoon Fed?
March 2nd, 2010
Catherine Leppert is a consultant for patients who are seeking help in overcoming antidepressant addiction, and the side-effects associated with antidepressants
by Catherine Leppert
Anti-depressants are as common as green Jell-O in Utah and there are many families battling not just a family member suffering from depression but the harmful side-effects that anti-depressants can cause. Maybe someday I will share my personal story over this issue, but for now I would like to inform as many people as possible--there is hope if you or your loved one are addicted to antidepressants and attempting to get off.
February 8th's Newsweek issue has an article entitled "The Depressing News About Antidepressants". In it the author, Sharon Begley, says the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI's) and the serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitor (SNRI's) antidepressants may not be helping your depression and may also be causing you to be experiencing fairly significant side effects and for quite a few people pronounced withdrawal reactions when they try to discontinue taking them. While they are being taken the antidepressants can deplete the body of certain nutrients as well. The options that are available for ways to combat the depression without the drugs and discontinue them safely can be found in books and on the Internet. After learning about some of these sources, I have attended I have attended alternative health conferences where the authors have made presentations both in Canada and the United States.
Antidepressants have been known to cause agressive and violent behaviors and suicidal ideation in a certain percentage of people who take them. They can cause myriad other side effects, including anxiety, insomnia and fatigue. Some of the resources suggest treating the real causes of the depressive symptoms, such as food and nonfood allergies and sensitivities, hormone imbalances, thyroid problems, blood sugar imbalances, magnesium and other nutritional deficiencies, and possibly other prescription drugs having a side effect of depression first and then very slowly lowering dosages and especially tapering the last amount to be dropped with the smallest incremental adjustments. Other resources provide nutritional supplementation to eliminate side effects that are occurring and then guide you through the taper using these nutrients to suppress a flaring of withdrawal effects.
Another source gives you a list of all the effects that you can experience during withdrawal as a guide to help you determine the right speed for you to reduce your dosages. The sources include directions on how to come off of the drugs if you are on more than one antidepressant or other drugs such as anti-anxiety or sleep medications as well. David Healy, MD., author of "The Antidepressant Era", and one of the first health professionals to point out that the antidepressants come with their own issues, said that the individuals who seem to get the best response to them initially are the same people who then experience the greatest problems with side effects.
Alternative health practitioners such as naturopaths, homeopaths, and others using natural remedies can work with you to help you become drug and depression free. You should always inform your doctor of what you are doing and use medical supervision as you come off any of the antidepressants.
Books & Resources:
- The Road Back: How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely by James Harper
- Just Because You're Depressed Doesn't Mean You Have Depression by Mary Ann Block, M.D.
- The Antidepressant Solution by Joseph Glenmullen, M.D.
- What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Depression by Michael B. Schachter and Deborah Mitchell
- Depression Free Naturally by Joan Matthews Larson, Ph.D.
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