From Getting High To Changes In Brain Chemistry: 5 Common Myths About Antidepressants

Antidepressants are prescription medicines that can help treat depression and other mental health conditions. This medication works by changing the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood and stress. While they can take several weeks to months to show their impact, the basic changes in sleep, diet and mood can be seen within a fortnight.

Regardless of their benefits to a patient's mental health, there are certain common things (myths) that depression patients often tell their psychiatrists. Most common of them are:

"I’m stronger if I do this without meds."

Depression is similar to a physical injury, like a broken leg. No matter how strong you are, if your leg is broken, you can’t use it properly until it heals. Likewise, even if you are mentally strong, depression can impair how your brain responds to everyday life. It needs time to heal before you can expect it to function normally again.

Antidepressants don't create happiness; they restore balance, allowing individuals to experience all emotions more appropriately. These medications typically take four to six weeks to fully take effect and are generally used for at least a year. This treatment is curative, much like chemotherapy for cancer. Research shows that taking antidepressants for a year before discontinuing them helps most people avoid relapse, though some individuals with chronic depression may need long-term medication.

Antidepressants do not make you feel euphoric or “high,” nor do they change your personality or intellect. Instead, they help you see things from a more balanced perspective. One patient described it this way: “I still see both the good and bad things, but when I was depressed, I only focused on the bad. Now, I can notice the good as well.”

"I'll become addicted to antidepressants"

Antidepressants, when taken as prescribed, are not addictive. They do not trigger cravings like substances such as opioids. Some individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches or nausea if they stop taking their medication abruptly, but these effects are short-lived and can be minimized by tapering off gradually.

"Meds should only be used as a last resort"Limiting antidepressants to extreme cases overlooks their potential to improve quality of life. Depression affects not only the individual but also their family, work, and society at large, with significant financial and social consequences. There are effective, non-addictive medications that have been studied for long-term benefits. While long-term antidepressant use (10 years or more) may carry some risks, such as an increased cardiovascular disease risk, depression itself is also associated with cardiovascular issues.

Therefore, if antidepressants improve someone's quality of life—whether through better concentration, sleep, relationships, or the ability to engage in work or hobbies—why not consider them? Moreover, the long-term effects of living with depression, such as increased risks of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and even Parkinson’s disease, are well documented. In this context, the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

It is pertinent to note that antidepressants, like any treatment, may have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. If therapy or other support systems are working for you, continue with those methods. However, if you are struggling and have held off on medications due to myths surrounding antidepressants, it may be time to reconsider and have a conversation with your healthcare provider.