...Antidepressants Work, so what’s the Problem Kurt Anderson Utah Valley University Course: Online English 2020 Instructor: Robert Crane Abstract Efficacy of antidepressants is under such scrutiny by the general public, because of a few scientists. Antidepressants are the most researched substance worldwide. The long history of research analysis proves the efficacy of antidepressants, but there are those who will falsely interpret clinical trials, or pool together selected studies to justify their claims. Scientists will agree that there are many flaws with antidepressant research, but with ever increasing new ways to re-test old research, the evidence of positive improvements are becoming harder to deny. This report shows that even though scientists are trying to disprove the effectiveness of antidepressants, the evidence of the scientific facts prove that antidepressants work for depression. Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables iv Glossary of Terms v General Information vii Thesis Statement vii Report Audience vii Author’s Purpose vii Argumentative Requirements Fulfillment Statement vii Introduction 1 Americans and Depression 2 Background of Depression and Antidepressants 4 Depression 4 Antidepressants 5 Depression Scale 5 Clinical Trials 6 Claims..................... 6 The Truth ......................................................................................................................................6 Prescribing methods...
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...Antidepressants and the Body Many people in America take millions of pills, syrups and potions and ingest it in some form or another on a daily basis. It is helpful to know exactly what happens inside our bodies when we take some form of medication. Medicines work in a variety of ways depending on what they are taken for and in what form. Medication has a route and form in which they are taken. Medications can be taken in oral which would be a pill or liquid, sublingual in tablet or drops, topically in cream or ointment, inhalation, drops etc. The type of medication and the route will have an effect on where the drug will enter the body and what areas the drug will focus on. In this paper I will explain how antidepressants work with chemicals in the body and also the good and bad of taking antidepressants. About 20 million people in the United States suffer from some form of depression (Schimelpfening, 2012). Depression occurs in someone when endogenous chemicals in the brain are used by the central nervous system to help communicate signals from one area to another. This imbalance in neurotransmitters, such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine plays a role in clinical depression. Decreased production of these neurotransmitters, a lack of receptor sites able to receive these neurotransmitters, and the inability of these neurotransmitters to reach a receptor site plays in an important factor in depression. The most common and effective drug used for people with...
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...SHOULD NEVER TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS” A vast research from the 1950s to present has shown that 80% of people in the world today use antidepressants. These drugs correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain which probably cause changes in mood and behavior; however people have been overusing and abusing the use of antidepressants and I totally agree with the notion that people should never take antidepressants because it is has lots of side effects. The misuse of these drugs cause negative side effects to people both psychologically and physically. To begin with, these drugs are psychiatric medications which were initially made for patients with depressive disorders to alleviate symptoms but the continual use of it causes psychological side effects such as sexual dysfunction. Antidepressants cause sexual dysfunction and have adverse effects on sperm quality. Depression commonly causes problems in sexual functioning. However, many antidepressants make the problem worse, affecting sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. The most widely studied and commonly prescribed antidepressants such as Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, and Prozac, have been found to increase the risk of sexual dysfunction by six times or more. Some antidepressants have been found to negatively impact sperm structure, volume, and mobility Furthermore there is also a wide range of significant physical effects caused by the use of antidepressants. One of which is;...
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...In the article “ Types of antidepressants and their side effects” the authors give descriptions for some of the different antidepressants. For example, SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants “They act on a chemical in the brain called serotonin” which is a very important neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Another type of antidepressant is an Atypical antidepressant “Which target other neurotransmitters either alone or in addition to serotonin. For example,”Wellbutrin blocks the reabsorption of the neurotransmitters Dopamine and Norepinephrine.” Ruiz 4 Dopamine is a drug used to help circulation problems caused by heart attacks, and reabsorption helps keep the drugs dopamine and norepinephrine out of your system while on antidepressants. Another type of antidepressant is Tricyclic antidepressant, in the article it states that “Tricyclics are among the oldest antidepressants. They work by inhibiting the brain’s reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.” along with norepinephrine, which is used to treat low blood pressure, tricyclics tend to cause more side effects which is why SSRI’s and atypicals are prescribed...
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...Since the 1980’s the use of antidepressants in the United States has skyrocketed, increasing by 400%(Derrow, Paula). Approximately 10.4% of Americans are being prescribed some type of antidepressant today(Derrow, Paula). These numbers are causing many to wonder whether antidepressants are overprescribed or if the rise in antidepressant use is justified. To answer this question we have to consider many factors such as if the people who need them are receiving them, what the side effects are like, and if the antidepressants being prescribed are working effectively. Antidepressants are not overprescribed. They have worked wonders for many people and have allowed them to live again. One of the most important things to know about antidepressants is whether or not they work. In many cases of severe depression antidepressants have often made a big difference in patients’ recovery processes(Hall-Flavin, Daniel K.). Antidepressants...
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...Aplenzin, Zyban_ Classification: Antidepressant – atypical (heterocyclic), Aminoketone_____________________________ Administration Routes: PO _√_ SQ ___ IM ___ IV ___ Transdermal ____ Ophth_____ Action: Mechanism of action is not known; the drug does not inhibit MAO, and it only weakly blocks neuronal uptake of epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. However, its action is believed to be mediated by noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms. Exerts moderate anticholinergic and sedative effects, but only slight orthostatic hypotension. Indications: (1) Treatment of major depressive disorder (immediate-release and extended-release). (2) Major depressive episodes in those with a history of seasonal affective disorder (Wellbutrin XL only). (3) Aid to stop smoking (Zyban only); may be combined with a nicotine transdermal system. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to bupropion or any ingredients. Seizure disorders; presence or history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa due to the higher incidence of seizures in such clients. Concomitant use of an MAOI. Use in clients undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol and sedatives, including benzodiazepines. Use in clients who have shown an allergic response to bupropion or other components of the various products. Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and Zyban all contain bupropion; do not use together. Lactation. Interactions: Extreme caution with drugs that lower the seizure threshold (eg, other antidepressants, antipsychotics, theophylline...
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...given as a transdermal skin patch, usually worn for about 9 hours. Deciding on whether an extended release drug would be the best choice over a shorter-lasting drug should depend on what the child needs to accomplish while taking this medication. If the child needs it only for school hours to focus, shorter-lasting drugs may benefit that situation. However, someone who may be older with more homework and longer study hours would most likely benefit from an extended release medication. While some non-stimulant drugs are approved for ADHD treatment, some antidepressant drugs are also used to treat ADHD in combination with other ADHD medication. Tricyclic antidepressants are used for children who do not take well to stimulant medications. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a common antidepressant as well, and is a well-tolerated medication for children with ADHD (WebMD.com). However, some side effect associated with this type of antidepressant are anxiety, headaches, and seizures. A common non-stimulant drug is atomoxetine, with the common trade name of Strattera. Strattera was the first non-stimulant drug approved by the FDA. The concern for some parents of children diagnosed with ADHD is the high potential for abuse and dependence of the drug, in addition to a change in their child’s personality. Parents are reluctant to give their children medication daily that would make them think “life’s problems were solved with something out of a bottle” (WebMD.com). However, studies have found that...
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...Depression in this day in age is a very common occurrence in all individuals at some point in their life time. There is several different type of life events that happen to us that can cause the traits of depression to appear. Some of the most common life events that cause depression are traumatic events, death of loved ones, change in job, or even changes within one’s family life. These events that we experience can define how we as individuals will react to stressors within our lifestyles. On top of all these normal life events that most of us will experience there is a large percentage of individuals in the United States who will suffer from clinical depression and mental illness. These psychological disorders can range from severe to mild. Most individuals at some point in their lifetime will experience one or more symptoms of clinical depression. These symptoms can cause an individual not to be able to function as they normally would as well as increase the overall risk of suicide. This type of depression is known as Unipolar depression as classified by (Comer, 2005). These symptoms can also be seen in mood disorders. The disorder that these symptoms come into play with is called bipolar disorder. Throughout this paper I will explain the main causes, symptoms and treatment options that are available for these disorders. Through the use of the (DSM) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual we find that unipolar depression is defined as a major depressive state of being that...
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...Depression is not only a state of being sad, it is a disease that conquers the ability to feel emotion, whether good or bad, whatsoever. Depression not only involves the mind, it also involves the body and thoughts. In different cultures some complain of excessive headaches and extreme pain and this is identified as depression, moderate or otherwise. This disease can be passed down through genes or can follow external events or can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression affects twenty percent of all Americans, some without even knowing it, at sometime during their lives. Depression is not a disease that only influences males or children of the age three to eleven. Every human being is prone to depression. Although women are three times more likely to become depressed than men, men are five times more likely to commit suicide when depressed than women. Some think that women have a less pleasing social role and their hormones make them more susceptible to depression. Men are more subject to keep their emotions bottled up inside of them because of their role in society and that they do not have the society’s permission to express their feelings openly. Major Depression is the most severe case of depression that there is. The symptoms for Major Depression are just like any other type of depression. To be Majorly Depressed you do not have to have been hospitalized or medicated. Lots of people get depression confused with extreme sadness. Depression is not a term...
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...There are many potential causes for depressive, bipolar and substance disorders such as biological, neurotransmitters, genetics, child hood trauma, and even major life events and even hormonal changes. Some of these causes’ people originate from and some develop over time due to their surroundings and or how a person is affected by life itself. Biological causes a change in brain activity causing depression where there is a decrease in the left frontal lobe during depression and a downward movement in activity that stabilizes the mood which again develops depression with the up and down activity in the brain. The release of imbalance neurotransmitters in the brain is linked to a person’s mood. Child hood trauma can cause depression for a long period of time that could lead to many things like substance disorders which develop by the way a person likes the way they feel, maybe feeling relaxed or not even thinking about the problems they have or stress. Substance abuse can also be genetic similar to bipolar. Some small studies have indicated that there is a "substantial genetic contribution" to bipolar disorder risk. People with a blood relative who has bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing it themselves. Currently, scientists are trying to identify which genes are involved. hormonal imbalances are thought to possibly trigger or cause bipolar disorder. Abuse, mental stress, a "significant loss", or some other traumatic event may contribute towards bipolar disorder risk...
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...learned that the use of an electric current can create seizures in schizophrenic patients. ECT was used frequently to treat schizophrenia, depression, and, in some cases, mania. It eventually became a source of arguement due to misuse and many negative side effects. ECT was misused and was often prescribed for treating disorders that had no real effect, such as alcohol dependence. Patients generally experienced confusion and loss of memory after treatments, and those whose condition improved eventually relapsed. Other side effects include speech defects, physical injury from the force of the convulsions, and cardiac arrest. According to the aunthors the use of electroconvulsive therapy was dissmissed after 1960 , and we were introduced to antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs. The authors inform the reader that ECT is still used today but with less frequency and alterations that make the procedure safer and less painful. Patients receiving the therapy go to 4 to 10 treatments perfrmed over a period of about two weeks. Confusion and memory loss are reduced by the common...
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...your palms get sweaty your mind forgets everything you just practiced. These would be mild reactions to a social phobia some people start to get hives or even pass out from their anxiety attacks. There are a couple was to treat anxiety related to social phobia. The first one is to train people who lack the social skills in conversations, communicating their needs, or meeting the needs of others socially. By training them how to handle certain situations by exposing them to different scenarios it will bring their confidence up and their anxiety down to a level that they can control. The second way to treat anxiety disorder related to social phobia would be to use a proscribed psychotropic medication for the patient (Julien, 2008). Antidepressant medications can reduce the symptoms of people suffering from a social phobia. In an interview in 2006 with Oprah Winfrey, Barbra Streisand revealed that she had begun taking anti-anxiety medication in a bid to once again get her stage fright under control. Previously it had been reported that she had received therapy from Jerilyn Ross, president and CEO of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America -- the same therapist who later treated Donny Osmond. Barbra continues to use Teleprompters as an aid to help mitigate some of her anxiety about...
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...the Sandy Hook tragedy tugged on the heartstrings of Americans as we got details of an assault weapon that was used on innocent children and adults for no apparent reason. While we let ourselves grieve, we must not let emotion come in between understanding these attacks and the reasons why they happen. I believe guns themselves are not the reason to turn up the lights on gun control, but rather shine attention on the mentally unstable citizens who are committing these crimes. It was almost unheard of in the past for perpetrators to kill themselves after the fact, so the issue at hand here is what has changed from then until now? Comparatively, in recent history antidepressant medications, suicide rates and gun control have found themselves in the same room but not studied under the same microscope. Antidepressants are prescribed to solve the chemical imbalances in a brain, but more often than not lead to more neurotic behavior and cause problems to get worse. I believe it is paramount that people considered to be mentally unstable should go through a strict mental evaluation before being able to open carry any weapon or purchase any kind of assault weapon. Doing so would help curb buying weapons, but not necessarily stop violence. Institutions able to prescribe drugs should also go under very strict government evaluations. That would greatly require the government to recognizing the fact there is a close tie between mind altering medications and gun violence. So, to begin...
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...Depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. Depression isn't a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out of." Depression, formally called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a medical illness that involves the mind and body. It affects how you think and behave and can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may not be able to go about your usual daily activities, and depression may make you feel as if life just isn't worth living anymore. Most health professionals today consider depression a chronic illness that requires long-term treatment, much like diabetes or high blood pressure. Although some people experience only one episode of depression, most have repeated episodes of depression symptoms throughout their life. Effective diagnosis and treatment can help reduce even severe depression symptoms. And with effective treatment, most people with depression feel better, often within weeks, and can return to the daily activities they previously enjoyed. Symptoms of depression include: Loss of interest in normal daily activities Feeling sad or down Feeling hopeless Crying spells for no apparent reason Problems sleeping Trouble focusing or concentrating Difficulty making decisions Unintentional weight gain or loss Irritability Restlessness Being easily annoyed Feeling fatigued or weak Feeling worthless Loss of interest in sex Thoughts of suicide or suicidal...
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...At different times in your life, you may have ‘been in a funk’, or extremely unhappy for a short period in time. People may have noticed or commented on how you are acting, but it doesn’t put any stress on your ability to function in life. At other times in your life, you may have felt elated, or extremely energized. When someone has a unipolar disorder, their sadness or elation are catapulted into extreme highs or lows, and this mania or depression has a significant effect on their abilities to function in their normal lives. When someone experiences both the extreme highs and lows of mania and depression alternately, they are diagnosed as bipolar. Depression is a continual disorder that affects between 5 and 10% of adults in the United States per year, and up to 17% of adults will have suffered from a severe case of depression at least once in their life. Depression is a low or sad state, where a person will experience significant levels of sadness, lack of energy, low self worth, guilt, or other symptoms like these. These symptoms span across fives areas of functioning. The first area we will look at is the emotional symptoms (Comer, 2005). The emotional symptoms of depression include feeling sad, miserable, empty, and just plain unhappy. Another function that is affected is motivation. The motivational symptoms cause people to lose their drive and desire to do anything, and often have to force themselves to go through their regularly scheduled life. The behavioral symptoms...
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