The consumption of antidepressants is becoming more and more common, becoming the third most consumed drug after alcohol and tobacco. In addition, they are very easy to access since the primary care doctor himself can prescribe them.
This increase in the use of antidepressants is due to the longer life expectancy, so there is more suffering due to loneliness, the economic crisis, etc. However, many people use it as a fast track to overcome any bumps. In addition, on many occasions they are over-prescribed to people who with a time in psychotherapy could feel better without the need for medication.
Do you know the effects of antidepressants on the nervous system? Do you think you can take antidepressants for life? In this Psychology-Online article we will see the side effects that the intake of antidepressants can have, the consequences of taking antidepressants for many years and we will answer the question of whether it would be appropriate to take antidepressants throughout life.
Index
- Side effects of antidepressants
- Long-term consequences of antidepressants
- Can you take antidepressants your whole life?
Side effects of antidepressants.
There are different types of antidepressants on the market. Broadly speaking, their effectiveness is due to the fact that they facilitate the transmission of certain brain substances that collaborate in the processing of pleasurable sensations or making it difficult to transmit other substances that prevent having these sensations. Like any other medicine, antidepressants have a number of side effects that will vary depending on the person, the dose, and the type of antidepressant. The side effects of antidepressants
Central Nervous System
At the brain level, they can produce excitement, agitation, insomnia or even some confusional pictures.
Vegetative nervous system
It is quite common for appetite and weight to increase as well as impotence and, conversely, to decrease libido. In this article we explain why antidepressants decrease libido. Many people also end up feeling dry mouth, nausea, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, or dizziness.
Cardiovascular system
Hypertension and tachycardias are quite common.
Temperature
Hyperthermic crises may appear, that is, the temperature rises very suddenly.
Psychic effects
In the first two weeks due to increased brain activity, there may be an increased risk of suicide. Here you will find why antidepressants take time to work. In addition, they can also cause anxiety.
Other adverse effects
In some people, the intake of antidepressants has caused amenorrhea, allergic hypersensitivity, hypoglycemia, among others.
Side effects will vary for each drug and each person. There are several types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants.
Long-term consequences of antidepressants.
One of the factors to take into account when taking antidepressants is their withdrawal. These generate a dependency in the person whose withdrawal can produce a withdrawal syndrome. This can be aggravated if, in addition, the intake of antidepressants has been prolonged in time. That is why it is essential that its withdrawal is not made abruptly. In this article we explain how to stop antidepressants.
On the other hand, in the long term they increase the chances of developing breast cancer, although they reduce the risk of brain cancer. What's more, can cause neurological damage memory can be affected and some symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease can occur.
At the gastrointestinal level, they can end up producing over time the irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive problems. Also, sexual problems that we have mentioned in the previous section could become more permanent and more complex to solve.
Can you take antidepressants your whole life?
All of these side effects make us wonder what would happen if a person had to take antidepressants for life. The problem arises in that in many cases depression and its symptoms are chronic, so many people can depend on this medication in order to have a normal life. In addition, in these people, on many occasions psychotherapy does not have great effects, so medication is the only way out.
Therefore, yes, in some cases, not only can antidepressants be taken as part of daily life throughout life. They are people who should be studied in depth and rule out any possibility of power stopping the medication without a relapse and in which it has been proven that psychotherapy has not been effective. Although you risk having the aforementioned side effects, they do not always appear and the alternative to not having them is to live with a chronic depression that makes it impossible to have a normal routine for the person.
In these cases, it becomes essential follow the doctor's guidelines to the letter. You should never vary the dose or take other medications without first consulting with the psychiatrist and, in addition, psychological support could facilitate adherence to the consumption of medication. On the other hand, having good habits and good social support also help the effectiveness of the medication.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Consequences of taking antidepressants for many years, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
Bibliography
- Medina, J., and García de León, M. (2004). Side effects of antidepressants. Sleep wakefulness, 48-57.
- Montané, E., & Santesmases, J. (2020). Adverse drug reactions. Clinical medicine, 154(5), 178-184.
- Sáez de Montagut López, S., & Ramírez Márquez, J. (2016). Evolution and current situation of antidepressant use in Spain.
