Do you think SSRI's are dangerous?

Question:

Answers:
intially they can be. which is why you need to be under the care of an MD while taking them.

SSRI's are a new generation of antidepressants. In comparision to older antidepressants, they have fewer major side effects, and often do not require careful monitoring of liver function (in sort, they are safer than most older class of antidepressants).

However, the danger is you don't know how your body is going to react to a particular SSRI (there are several). You could have an allergic reaction for one. Another is, there is research to suggest that a small percentage of the population have an increased risk of suicide when first taking them. A clear reason is not known, however there is some speculation that people with major depression expect positive results to occur more quickly and when they do not, they feel nothing will help and that there situation is hopeless. In general, it takes a good 4 to 6 weeks before an antidepressant will reach full effect. Some may not work for you, so the MD may actually decide to stop one SSRI and try another. Each experience is very individualized. There is no one size fits all SSRI.

There are also some reported cases of dependency with certain SSRI's. Meaning, once you decide to come off the medication, you need to do so slowly over time and not quit cold turkey.

For many SSRI's are a Godsend. They are unable to function in every day life without them. There are varying degrees of depression. If the effects of depression are so overwhelming, and the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects experienced, then by all means... continue the antidepressant. Whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks is something only you and your MD can decide together. Just make sure to keep an open door of communication.

Even with all the advances in mental health in recent decades, there is still a stigma attached with taking antidepressants. Largely due to ignorance re: depression vs. a case of "the blues". BIG DIFFERENCE between the two, but alot of people do not realize that. Remember, getting help is not a sign of weakness... rather, it takes great strength to take the first step. If you need help, get it.

Other Answers:
Depends from the point of view. The SSRI anti-depressants work well in major cases and all I've read in the net is very profuse. When a person suffer from depression,especially associated with a anxiety ,etc. that literally is ruining his/her life.It's better to be taken the needed medication in order at least the sertraline levels to be stabilized.As a whole I cannot point out any drug,which has no side effects.,even some of the vitamins taken has multiple side effects. Luck!

Being ignorant, what is an SSRI?

No. Consider the issue of not using them. Suicide, going friggin mad, being depressed and not enjoying life.

Hmmm...

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants for treating depression, anxiety disorders and some personality disorders.

Dangerous, hardly. The side affects include nausea, drowsiness, headache, changes in weight and appetite...

Absolutely.
Apart from the side-effects (read the insert), especially in younger folks, the 2 major problems are:
- the way that they are prescribed
- they way they are approved by FDA

Unlike other classes of drugs where Pharma companies must prove their safety and efficacy vs. the current standard of care (whichever drug is most approprate), in general there is no standard of care other than therapy and so they just have to show marked improvement over other drugs, just some improvement or fewer side effects. This is the compelete opposite of the typical drug development & approval process.

SSRIs in conjunction with therapy are proven to perform a lot better than than SSRIs alone, but most doctors write the script then tell you check back in a few weeks or months. Well you might forget if you're having delusions, a psychotic break or a suicidal episode, eh? There needs to be a lot more supervision when the drugs are first prescribed to regulate dosage, reaction and compliance.

Also, unlike many disease/drug combinations where measurement of pain, blood tests etc are less likely to be erroneous. Someone on an SSRI may mistake side-effects for treatment or cure.

Finally, there isn't enough research into the other brain chemicals and the feedback loop with dopamine and serotonin to justify putting the masses on these drugs in the way that they are currently prescribed. I think FDA is playing a game of pharmacological chicken with this class of drugs.

More Questions and Answers

The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.

Do you think SSRI's are dangerous?

Health Resources