I've only read the headline, but isn't this the consensus already?
Full disclosure: I'm on antidepressants and probably don't really need them.
Full disclosure: I'm on antidepressants and probably don't really need them.
There is new gusto for a couple of reasons
1. First and foremost antidepressants prescription rates are rising..and are rapidly becoming the most common medication. There are programs to reduce psychotropic prescriptions in children and those with intelligent disability but instead this is becoming a shift to AD.
2. Increasingly awareness that people aren't coming off them. We perhaps don't quite have system for drawing people off medications (hyperbolic dosing probably would help with switch to longer acting medicines).
3. Recognition of side effects especially sexual ones that take up to 6 months to resolve. Some claim never do. Hard to judge this but overall it's clear that patients don't feel they fully appreciated and where informed of some side effects. To be clear there does appear to be reduce sexual function up to about 6 months after usage in some. Indefinitely seems unsupported by facts but you will be hounded for saying so on some social media.
4. Disillusionment with pharma companies really enough said here.
5. Increased rates of supportive counselling Vs psychotherapy. Reducing the cost effectiveness of AD.
For men, if it's the "can't finnish" side effect, take selenium supplements. This may not work while on the ADs. Beware it can influence your PSA level.
Source: anecdote from a friend.
OTOH how many people with a healthy sex life are on antidepressants? I want data!
I have this issue. Which is weird if you still have a high libido and want some relieve.
[0]https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2022/05/31/...
Antidepressants can help some people with chemical issues but will do little to nothing for people without them.
Erm yeah, mental problems are literally all in your head. That doesn't make them less real, though. And of course, toughen up is a stupid thing to say from someone not having those problems. (on the other hamd, you can take I am sick as a excuse to not make an effort anymore)
And if the chemicals are not in order still leaves the question whether that is just the symptom or the root cause.
What I mean is, that when someone has a shitty life and is therefore depressed, then his brain chemicals are probably not look good. Pills still might help this person to transition back, but this won't be sustainable, when the root cause does not get fixed.
Well, everything you experience is literally in your head, so it's a bit useless observation. What matters is whether or not you can think the problem away, which for being depressed is about as possible as for a broken arm.
> What I mean is, that when someone has a shitty life and is therefore depressed, then his brain chemicals are probably not look good.
Yes. But in many other cases, brain chemicals are not looking good because of some other, more permanent issues, like genetics, or environment in which one grew up.
> Pills still might help this person to transition back, but this won't be sustainable, when the root cause does not get fixed.
There may not be a root cause. If one's stuck in a feedback loop of "bad mental state -> shitty life -> bad mental state -> ...", it doesn't even matter much what initially caused it all those years or decades ago. And again, in some cases the root cause is just permanent.
A wheelchair is a good analogy to mental health medication. A wheelchair will help people move around regardless of whether they were born without a leg, lost their leg in an accident, became paralyzed from waist down, or had a rough fall and need to give couple weeks or months for their legs to recover. You don't tell the person without a leg that they should think about transitioning off the wheelchair. You don't deny a wheelchair to a person with temporary loss of mobility from a bad accident. Some people will need it permanently, some only for a moment - but if they all have specific mobility problems, the wheelchair is there to reduce them.
Yes, but if a person with 2 normal legs insists on continuing to use the wheelchair after an accident - he or she will allways remain dependant on it (muscles go away very fast and it is hard work to regain them) and not be able to walk again on their own feet. Same with antidepressants I figure. It will be hard, to not use them anymore.
[0]https://wibc.com/108211/pew-study-white-liberals-disproporti...
If only there was a readily available and easily accessible source of information that expanded upon the headline and had the potential to answer further questions on the topic…
There's usually someone linking a non-paywalled version of the article on HN :)