By: Ozren Podnar |
Side effects hidden in antidepressants - violence, depression and suicide |
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In light of recent events, the impact of antidepressants on violent behavior definitely needs to be investigated, and as soon as possible.
We have already heard that antidepressants can cause very dangerous side effects, such as homicides and suicides.
In 2010 the American organization Safe Medication Practices has published a list of commonly prescribed drugs, which carry a unusually high number of cases of violence.
Among them are antidepressants, antipsychotics and stimulants used for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD).
Linked to violence
Series of violent incidents in the United States and Canada were linked to antidepressants.
In November 2011. Court in Winnipeg concluded that the antidepressant fluoxetine (known under trade names Prozac, Sarafem etc) had an effect on behavior of a teenager who committed murder. The court sentenced him to an unusually low punishment of only three years in prison.
Several serial killers in the United States were taking antidepressants shortly before the crime.
New York Times pointed out that Aaron Alexis, who killed 12 people in August in Washington took the drug trazodone.
Trazodone is associated with the following side effects:
- new depression attacks
- worsening of depression
- suicidal thoughts
- planning suicide
- extreme anxiety and agitation
- panic attacks
- sleep problems
- aggressive behavior
- irritability
- reckless behavior
- restlessness
- abnormal excitement
Mandatory warnings on the labels
Although the use of antidepressants in some cases led to lowering suicide rates, the contrary is seen among younger the patients, where increased risk of suicide and violence was observed.
The effectiveness of drugs in this group of patients has not been established.
Because of the potential to cause aggressive behavior towards themselves or others, psychopharmacs manufacturers were told to include appropriate warnings on their labels and packaging.
"The law will likely in the future have to deal with cases of violence associated with the use of antidepressants," wrote Dr. David Healy, a British professor of psychiatry at Cardiff University.
Dr. Healy, in collaboration with several colleagues, founded the association called RxISK on whose website the patients, doctors and pharmacists may report side effects of prescription drugs.
Seeking an alternative approach
There is no doubt that we need a different approach to the treatment of depression - serious disease that causes high mortality through suicide, reduced resistance to other diseases and neglection of health.
Fortunately, research suggests that there are safe and effective ways to relieve depression and anxiety related to it, which do not require medication.
Take probiotics
Proper nutrition is one of the main factors for good mental health, because intestinal flora affects the functioning of the brain, and therefore the state of mind.
Increase the intake of probiotics through natural fermented foods or use supplements with probiotic bacteria to ensure healthy intestinal flora.
Studies indicate that an imbalance of intestinal bacteria adversely affects brain activity.
Avoid sugar
Significantly reduce the consumption of refined sugars, especially fructose, refined grains and processed foods.
Processed foods contain numerous additives that impair brain function.
Great book by William Dufty titled "The Sugar Blues" speaks about the impact of sugar on mental health.
Adjust salt intake. Salt deficiency causes symptoms similar to depression.
But take a natural, unprocessed salt like Himalayan salt, which contains more than 80 nutrients.
Vitamins
Get plenty of vitamin B12 whose deficiency in the body contributes to depression. Every fourth person has a deficiency of this vitamin.
Research has shown that people with the lowest vitamin D levels have 11 times higher risk of depression than people with normal amounts of this vitamin in the body.
The best way to supply vitamin D is to expose yourselves to sunlight, at least 15 minutes a day.
It does not matter if the weather is cloudy, because the sun rays penetrate through the clouds too.
It is possible to compensate for the lack of vitamin D through supplements.
Essential fatty acids
Start consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Many of us do not even know that our brain is composed of 60 % of fat.
Omega-3 is made up of essential fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are essential for normal brain function and mental health.
Exercise and sleep
Exercise every day because this is one of the best methods for preventing or overcoming depression.
Research shows that the increase in aerobic capacity is strongly associated with improved mood and mental well-being.
Get enough sleep and sleep regularly. Even if you eat optimally and exercise daily, lack of sleep can push you into depression.
Poor sleep, including insomnia, hipersomnia and shifted sleep periods are all very closely linked with depression.
Create optimal conditions for sleep, go to sleep every day at approximately the same time and sleep equally every day – seven and a half to eight hours.
Over the weekend, you can make an exception, but not drastic, because doing so would disrupt sensitive biological rhythm that controls the exchange of sleep and wakefulness.
EFT
On top of all these measures used to prevent or mitigate depression, you can also use Emotional Freedom Technique.
Known under the acronym EFT this technique is a form of acupressure that uses the same energy meridians as acupuncture.
You do not use needles but fingers when implementing this therapy.
EFT includes lightly tapping with your fingertips on specific energy meridians on the head and chest to transfer energy.
Think about a specific thing that is bothering you, whatever it was – if you have experienced a traumatic event, the current difficulties such as illness or material shortage, love and other problems.
Also, along with tapping and concentrating on the problem, use affirmations.
The combination of these processes removes emotional blocks from the body, and balances mind and body.
Clinical studies have shown that EFT quickly reduces the negative impact of painful memories that cause emotional stress.
A study conducted on 30 moderately to severely depressed students showed significant improvement of the mental condition of those patients who received four sessions of EFT lasting for 90 minutes.
Another study on veterans suffering from PTSD found a significant improvement after only six sessions lasting 60 minutes.
Nine-tenths of the patients afterwards no longer had the symptoms on the basis of which they were diagnosed with PTSD, and for 60 percent of them only three sessions were sufficient.
Three months later, the improvement was still present, suggesting that EFT achieved long-term beneficial effects.
To adopt this technique it is necessary to consult with a EFT specialist, who will instruct you in detail.
In the struggle with stress and depression, natural adaptogens can also help you.
Among the most famous are ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea, ginseng, shisandra, maca, sea buckthorn, cordyceps, chaga, ginkgo and reishi.
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