Firstly, there is a link between high anti-depressant dose and youths harming their selves. Kim Painter a journalist for USA Today shares, JAMA internal medicine magazine in which it states self-harm doubles for youth who start treatment with “higher-than-usual doses’. As you can see, starting at high doses can be harmful. Painter also shares, Mathew Miller a doctor at Harvard School of Public Health who states that “higher doses may only add risk”. Therefore, high doses are risky. Miller’s research also showed that teens were twice as likely to hurt their selves if started at high doses. Consequently, starting treatment with above normal doses has a negative affect (Painter). Secondly, in Australia prescribing anti-depressants is out of control. Rachel Kleinman a journalist for The Age provides information that shows Australia prescribes more anti-depressants than any other country in the world except Iceland. As you can see, Australia may be over prescribing medication. Kleinman specifically points out, that the majority of depression related prescriptions are completed by general practitioners. There is no follow up with specialist nor is there any therapy. Therefore, the most qualified specialist are not prescribing medication for depression less trained GP are. Kleinman continues to point out, that mild cases of depression are being treated with medication first instead of psychological …show more content…
For example, without Anti-depressants depression can cause a major negative impact on your life. Korina Lopez journalist for USA Today shares, national alliance on mental illness “Half of students with mental illness ages 14 and older drop out of high school”. A mental illness in a child can severely impair the ability to get through the school day (Lopez). Lopez shares Karen Swartz a Psychiatrist and director of the John Hopkins Mood Disorder Center 20% of bipolar patients commit suicide without medication. Without meds your depression may lead to suicide. Students who do not receive treatment have more outburst and a hard time paying attention. This can cause a daily struggle and cause stress in parents without the child taking medication. Next, taking medication can have a better powerful effect on bipolar patients. Lucie mother of child on medication, “Within about three weeks of him being on the medication he was a different (improved) kid”. Medication can improve your life (Mayoh). Anna Cohen founder of Kids and Co. Clinical Psychology shares, anti-depressant medication helps restore a healthy chemical balance in the brain. The medication correctly helps your depression. Lucie adds, the medication provides confidence and allows her son to progress socially. Anti-depressants improve everyday life making things easier one day at a time.