Negative Side Effects Of Antidepressants

Many people, at some point in their lives, may feel depressed, lonely, or just sad. “Approximately 25 million Americans will have an episode of depression this year alone” (Duckworth). Some people can not get through the sadness alone; they need help from a medication. The reason these antidepressants are needed is due to a chemical imbalance of the brain. Antidepressants can alter the chemical balance of the brain and have many negative side effects when taking one.
The main reason that antidepressants are used is because of the chemicals in the brain (Hauser). These chemicals are called serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (Gronley). Serotonin is a combination of the protein tryptophan and a chemical reactor tryptophan hydroxylase. Serotonin can be produced in the brain and in the …show more content…
Antidepressants can cause damage to the body mentally and physically. When the drug is taken for a long period of time, the maximum amount of chemicals are in the brain and can physically damage it …show more content…
Depending on which medication is used, sleeping habits may change. Some people gain sleep while others lose sleep and tend to acquire insomnia (Ferguson). The drugs may also lead into the patient having bipolar disorder because of the mood changes (“What Are”). “Antidepressants are known to blunt our emotional responses to some extent” (Kresser). In a study of about 1900 people, 60% stopped feeling emotion, they lost their positivity and stopped caring about people they used to (Bergland). Studies also show that antidepressants may cause suicidal thoughts. Two to three people out of every hundred taking an antidepressants will end up having suicidal thoughts (Kresser). When first prescribed, the percentage of people who have those thoughts doubles from “1-2% to 2-4%” (“What Are”). Suicide is “the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.”