Antidepressant use is on the rise with an estimated 1 in 10 American’s taking them, and many have not been diagnosed with mental illness. A lot of doctors who aren’t psychiatrists are writing antidepressants prescriptions for reasons ranging from everyday stress to stage fright to difficulty kicking the smoking habit. Antidepressants such as Lexapro, Paxil, and Prozac are now thethird most prescribedgroup of drugs in the United States and that statistic is only expected to increase. Despite the number of people using such drugs, a lot of myths still surround the use of antidepressants.
Myth: Antidepressants are addictive.**事实：**不同于酒精，尼古丁和镇静剂，抗抑郁药不需要频繁的剂量增加，保持了一定的效果，而且不会造成使用者渴望他们。虽然不容易上瘾，列为SSRIs类药物和SNRIs的那些使用抗抑郁药做，有时会持续数月的经历戒断反应。撤离的一些指标包括胃部不适，出现流感样症状，焦虑，奇怪的梦，头晕等。
Antidepressants also carry a long list of potential side effects, ranging from mild to severe, which should be discussed with a medical professional prior to beginning treatment. But rest assured that antidepressants aren’t addictive.
误区二：抗抑郁药是depressioact的灵丹妙药：抗抑郁药是不是魔术“快乐丸”，心情改善效果可能需要几个星期来开发。抗抑郁药开发的声誉，是像“速度”，但不像甲基苯丙胺，抗抑郁药不会导致兴奋。事实上，只有约2/3 of those with depressionwill respond to any given antidepressant, and the improvement in mood generally is limited.
Myth: Antidepressants are a quick fix and don’t solve the problem.**事实：“速战速决” **我们已经建立了抗抑郁药可能需要数周才能生效，这样就很难归类为虽然它们可以让你的心情一点，他们work most effectively当与治疗相结合，以解决造成抑郁任何潜在的环境问题。其它潜在有用的治疗与抗抑郁药结合包括认知行为疗法，草药疗法（虽然这些都必须在医生精心策划），和光疗。
Myth: Antidepressants cause weight gain.** Fact:** This is only partially a myth; some people do experience weight gain as a result of taking antidepressants. Though some people gain weight after beginning antidepressants, the antidepressant isn’t necessarily the cause. For instance, the added medication could improve a person’s appetite, which may have diminished as a result of depression, and that causes them to gain weight. Some people may even lose weight, due to a drop off in emotional eating once they start taking the medication. Such a side effect depends on the person and the prescribed antidepressant, so if this is a concern, you should discuss it with your doctor beforehand.
Myth: Once on antidepressants – always on antidepressants.** Fact:** The length of treatment depends entirely on the type of depression a patient experiences. A majority of those on antidepressants stop treatment after six months, while those who have experienced several major depressive episodes are often candidates for longer-term treatment. If someone begins an antidepressant regimen and starts to experience a positive change in mood, it’s no surprise that they wonder if they can feel good after ceasing treatment. Normally, doctorsrecommendthat people stay on their antidepressant for at least six months to a year. Beyond that, stopping treatment is a personal choice, and it’s important to take into account the other factors that were contributing to depression before continuing to rely on the newly medicated feelings of recovery. Because of potential side effects from withdrawal, it’s important to not abruptly stop taking antidepressants. Instead taper down with the help of a doctor. Remember that just because antidepressants may have helped you through a depressive episode, they aren’t always needed to feel normal.
Myth: Antidepressants decrease sex drive.** Fact:** We’ve established that some antidepressants carry possible sexual side effects. But that list doesn’t normally include lack of sexual drive. More common is the inability to achieve an orgasm. On the other hand, simply being depressed can demolish a person’s libido, and introducing an antidepressant when depressed can sometimes actually improve sex life.
Myth: Antidepressants are dangerous to combine with other medications.**事实：**这是alwaysimportant讨论你可以跟你的医生先服用其他药物。任何药物可以与其他药物相互作用。但最常用的抗抑郁药，SSRIs类药物，很少互动或导致与其他药物的任何问题。一个例外是，用于当SSRIs的采取与MAO抑制剂血压升高的可能性。总体而言，SSRIs类药物是安全的需要，几乎所有的药物，但总是一定要咨询医生或药剂师肯定。
Sources:
Holohan, Ellin. (August 5, 2011). Study: Americans’ use of antidepressants on the rise. Retrieved fromusatoday.com
精神科医生的皇家学院。（未检出）。抗抑郁药。（N.D）。从...获得http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/depression/antidepressants.aspx
JAMA (2012). Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: A patient-level meta-analysis. Retrieved from:http://jama.amaassn.org/content/303/1/47.full.pdf
M.I.N.D. (n.d) Making sense of antidepressants. Retrieved from:http://www.mind.org.uk/help/medical_and_alternative_care/making_sense_of_antidepressants