What they aren’t telling you about Antidepressants

imagesIt seems as if too many nightstands are becoming slightly too crowded these days.  If you haven’t noticed already, right next to the family photo, alarm clock, and water bottle, there is this little orange bottle with a white cap and pale blue label standing tall with the words “Take Me.”  I mean, it does have your name and address on it, so it belongs there, right?  Not necessarily.   According to Harvard Health Publications, “The federal government’s health statisticians figure that about one in every 10 Americans takes an antidepressant.”  That means that there has been 400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions since the best seller Listening to Prozac was published in 1993.  There has been much debate on whether or this epidemic is helping or hurting us.  Were depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues underdiagnosed in the past?  Are more people becoming depressed?  Is marketing done by pharmaceutical companies responsible for this increase?

Let us begin with understanding that antidepressants have been a blessing for a proportion of the population.  Once someone has exhausted all other means to treat what has been diagnosed as a mental illness, a prescription may or may not be warranted.  However, judging those taking antidepressants, and/or those who believe they have a mental illness, is a job for no one other than the individual and their health care provider(s).   However, there has been a major shift in how mental illness has been treated since Prozac hit the market in 1987.   It has become a widely accepted theory that mental illness is a result of chemical imbalances in the brain that can only be fixed with psychoactive drugs.  Instead of trying “talk therapy” first, and prescribing antidepressants second, many psychiatrists suggest psychotherapy, if at all, after prescribing drugs.  It is now considered “normal” by many health care professionals, the media, and the public to go straight to the prescription tablet without attempting any sort of alternative treatment at all.   Prescription drugs have become the dominant solution to the exponential increase of diagnosed mental illness.  Unfortunately, for some of those who have taken this brisk path to alleged happiness, the results are unsettling.

Yes, some people feel more animated and clearheaded after taking antidepressants, however, others don’t feel the positive effects that they were promised.  In fact, they don’t feel anything at all.  Take this testimony, for example, that was published in Oprah Magazine in March of 2006:

 “I feel emotionally castrated because not only do I not have negative feelings, I barely feel anything at all. I’m an artist who can no longer draw or paint or create. Instead, I sit around and do absolutely nothing.”
— B.J. Cade, 53

Many others have reported memory impairment, dullness, numbness, and other cognitive side effects that have ultimately lead to them feeling “zombie-like.”  Other personal testimonies have revealed that when they suggested to their doctor that they were experiencing delayed recall and “brain-zaps” (what feels like a pinched nerve combined with pulsating migraines in your brain after forgetting to take ONE pill), not only were they told that antidepressants do not have these cognitive side effects, but their dose was increased!  Technically, the doctor is telling you what they were told, which isn’t much.   If, according to government standards, “there’s insufficient data to prove that the drugs cause the symptom,” pharmaceutical companies are not obliged to “report or disclose cognitive side effects.”  However, when the FDA requires approval for antidepressants, the studies only last a mere 6-8 weeks long.  This time frame simply isn’t always long enough to prove a cause and effect relationship between these drugs and certain cognitive side effects.  It wasn’t until the relationship between suicide and antidepressants began to surface that the FDA announced a public health advisory warning that “adults on these drugs should be watched closely for suicidal thinking or behavior.”

dIt is scary enough that many of us think that taking anti-depressants is our only option after we are told what pharmaceutical companies are obliged to tell us, while also ignoring other “inconclusive” side-effects.  For example, it has been released that taking antidepressants for bi-polar disorder may make the disorder worse, and even trigger manic episodes.  In addition, bone loss, fractures, and falls all become increased risks for individuals over 65 taking SSRIs.  While these side effects differ for each individual, we should address the main issue at hand: many of us aren’t exploring alternative treatments.  In addition to “talk therapy” with a mental health provider, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc. here are a few other suggestions to try on your own:

Set Goals for Yourself

Having a daily routine may be comforting, but a humdrum lifestyle does not leave any room for improvement.   Start with something you know you can accomplish so you don’t discourage yourself, and work your way up. Change for the better can leave you with a sensation of fulfillment, energy, and purpose.  Sometimes we need that extra push to get our lives back on track, especially if we do the pushing.

Change Your Diet

They say “you are what you eat,” so if you are eating junk and other food that isn’t giving you the mental and physical strength you need, you will start to feel the effects.  Eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to improve cognitive heath.  Replacing your late night ice-cream with an avocado could bring you one step closer to boosting your mental state.

Exercise

Try will taking a short walk outside every day, (setting goals!), and work up to a holistic exercise program such as yoga.  Spending time with nature may increase the health of your mind, body, and soul.  “Regular physical activity seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways,” according to Ian Cook, MD, a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA. You release endorphins when you exercise, which are those natural “feel-good” chemicals in your body.

Regardless of the reason that more people have reserved an extra spot on their nightstand for antidepressants, there a few things that the warning label may not be telling us.  If you are searching for advice and alternative treatment to help with depression, consult a doctor such as Dr. Bordenave at Miami Integrative Medicine to assist you.  You can do this!

 

 

Resources:

Griffin, R. M. “10 Natural Depression Treatments.” Depression Health Center. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments>.

Ramin, Cathryn J. “Valley of the Dulls.” Are Antidepressant Drugs Helpful or Harmful? Oprah.com, Mar. 2006. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://www.oprah.com/health/Are-Antidepressant-Drugs-Helpful-or-Harmful>.

Smith, Melinda, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Damon Ramsey, MD. “What You Need to Know About Medications for Depression.” Antidepressants (Depression Medication). HelpGuide.org, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm>.

Wehrwein, Peter. “Astounding Increase in Antidepressant Use by Americans.” Harvard Health Blog RSS. Harvard Health Publications, 20 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/astounding-increase-in-antidepressant-use-by-americans-201110203624>.

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Getting Healthy with Chia Seeds

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It’s no wonder Chia Seeds are considered to be the Superfood of 2013.  They give you everything from Omega-3, endurance, heart health, mental energy, protein, hydration, digestive health, and more!  Read this ARTICLE to get one step closer to a healthier you.

 

Posted By: Axiom Health Care Marketing

Vegetarians May Live Longer

Check out these statistics on being vegetarian!  The numbers may surprise you.

vegetarians-may-live-longer

Posted By: Axiom Health Care Marketing

The August Newsletter is Now Available!

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Check out our latest newsletter!!  Gain some insight on yoga therapy and the dangers of sleep deprivation by clicking HERE.  Enjoy your weekend!

Do you know the intertwining layers that make up our physical, mental, and spiritual self?

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Credit: www.yogahale.com

Read about this Koshas in this ARTICLE, and maybe you’ll discover if yoga therapy is right for you!!

 

 

 

 

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Understanding the Cause of a Health Issue Could Begin with a Simple Diet Change

healthy foods

Improving your physical and mental health, by the Integrative Medicine Approach, starts with what you eat.

Read more in this ARTICLE

 

Integrated Medicine: The Importance of Nutrition and Overall Health

According to WebMD, integrative medicine can be summed up as a “whole-person approach — designed to treat the person, not just the disease.”[i] In fact, while there might be some nonconventional medical therapies used within the integrative medicine approach, the main tenant of integrative health is to implement therapies, both conventional and alternative, to heal the mind, body and spirit. Simply defined integrative medicine takes Western medicine and complements it with natural and alternative treatments including herbal medicine, yoga, stress reduction strategies, massage and acupuncture. Miami Integrative Medicine works with every patient, every day to deliver the most complementary medicine. [i]

Integrative medicine improves overall health because it focuses on a comprehensive approach to health from head to toe. When a health problem is discovered, rather than looking at it from a completely medical perspective, it considers all factors that may have contributed to the condition. Factors include how the mind-body connection can directly influence the performance of the body’s immune system.[i] Taking a comprehensive look at one’s emotional, spiritual and physical health, with an emphasis on the relationship between patient and practitioner, integrative medicine looks for all causes and all cures.

Nutrition is a cornerstone of integrative medicine and thus should be followed to promote optimal health. As part of a maintaining one’s spiritual and mental health, nutrition is another way to complement one’s integrative medicine treatment. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, eating a diet based on integrative medicine principles can both prevent and treat cancer. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, in as many colors as possible, are some concrete recommendations to prevent and treat cancer. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli have a natural chemotherapy type compound. Berries are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients. Generally speaking, Dr. Weil believes that along with the fruits, vegetables and berries, eating nuts, whole grains, and cold-water fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is the best way to complement an approach to integrative medicine.[ii]

Dr. Andrew Weil, consistent with the integrative medicine approach, believes nutrition can only go so far. Hence, there is a need for the complementary approach found with integrative medicine. He believes that a lot of physicians do not spend enough time with their patients going over prevention methods and how to live a healthier life. Since the traditional-only medical community focuses on the causation and fix formula, integrative medicine can provide a hybrid traditional and holistic approach to staying well. Therefore along with eating a wide variety of minimally processed organic foods[iii] and the need for physicians to spend more time educating their patients, found in integrative medicine, Dr. Weil believes following the integrative medicine formula is a good start.[ii]

Proper nutrition can be accomplished by eating foods, but also by nourishing the mind and spirit. Those suffering from serious diseases, including cancer, along with their traditional forms of treatment, receive treatment for the mind, body and soul. As WebMD puts it, “As she puts it, the service is designed to ‘deal with everything but the tumor.’ That means helping patients with stress, pain, and anxiety, as well as providing them with ways to manage symptoms and increase their sense of well-being.”[iv]  The services the patient receives include message, acupuncture, music, nutrition, supplement counseling, meditation, self-hypnosis and much more. The patient became intrigued by it and noticed her pain, stress and anxiety were markedly reduced because her treatment focused on her cancer and her entire body, mind and soul. Now, tying everything together, one can see that integrative medicine takes a comprehensive survey of sicknesses and treats them with not just on approach, but a multi-prong approach.

Dr. Jorge Bordenave practices Integrative, Preventive & Clinical Cardiology.
He is NOAA / UHMS Certified Dive Medical Examiner, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, FIU Medical College and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Bordenave’s practice is located at:

 4908 SW 8 street, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134.

They are open Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm.

Phone: 305.446.2444

Website: www.miamiintegrativemedicine.com

 

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 Endnotes

  1. Kam, Katherine. What Is Integrative Medicine? April 16, 2009. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/alternative-medicine-integrative-medicine, Accessed October 24 2012.
  2. Lowering Cancer Risk. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03061/Preventing-Cancer-With-Integrative-Medicine.html, Accessed October 24, 2012.
  3. Health and Healing in the Dr. Weil Tradition. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00110/Dr-Weil-Like-Minded-Practitioners.html, Accessed October 24, 2012.
  4. Kam, Katherine. Integrative Medication: A Patient’s View. 10 Marc 2006. http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/integrative-medicine-patients-view, Accessed October 24, 2012.