Doctors Warn Against The Permanent Damage From Long-Term Antidepressant Use

(Newswire.net — June 10, 2020) Winnetka, IL — Mental health issues like depression have taken the world by storm, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. It is closely linked with the high rates of suicide, and is the top cause of disability.

Over decades, statistics have shown that the prevalence of depression continues to soar. If left untreated, it significantly increases the odds of suicide.

According to research in 2019, among the top five countries with the highest depression rates are Lithuania, Russia, Guyana, and South Korea. It is further worth noting that European countries also have high suicide rates, especially Belgium. 

This mental health issue is often addressed through the use of antidepressants. However, it is worth noting that according to leading medical experts, long-term use of these medications increases the risk of permanent damage to the body.

According to Dr Tony Kendrick, a professor of primary care at the University of Southampton, more urgent action needs to be taken to encourage and support long-term users to come off the medication.

The National Health Service (NHS) reveals that prescriptions for antidepressants in England have doubled in the last decade. As a matter of fact, over 70 million were prescribed in 2018. 

“We’re seeing some of the longer-term side effects. Generally most people are okay on them but a few people can get bleeding from the stomach, they can get bleeding in the brain so they get strokes, they can get epileptic fits,” Kendrick adds.

It is worth noting that according to experts, some pharmaceutical drugs alter the brain in such a manner that it takes a long time to return to normal or one won’t go back to normal.

Antidepressants are undeniably helpful for the many who are struggling from this mental health issue. However, it is also worth noting that it is vital to take some measures found helpful in warding off depression.

It is interesting to note that many studies nowadays are looking into the depression-fighting potentials of certain natural remedies. These remedies are usually plant-based like a medicinal herb called ashwagandha.

In some research studies, ashwagandha has been able to demonstrate its ability to aid in alleviating depression.

A controlled study lasting for 60 days and involving 64 stressed adults reveals that intake of 600 mg of high-concentration ashwagandha extract per day led to a 79 percent reduction in severe depression.

It is worth noting that the placebo group had a 10 percent increase.

There are actually many other studies revealing the therapeutic goodness of ashwagandha against this mental health issue. It is widely consumed nowadays via supplementation like NutraHerbals Ashwagandha (www.amazon.com/organic-ashwagandha-root-powder/dp/B01GZALWGO).