Antidepressant vs Placebo Essay -- Medical Research

Depression has grasped the lives of millions of Americans. There are those who claim these new cures, known as antidepressants, have helped many Americans escape from depression. The mind is what determines the outcome, the placebo effect is a way the mind heals itself without any medication. Placebo is a better and safer route to take for multiple reasons. First off, drugs can cause unpredictable symptoms. Secondly, there is the negative effect of self-withdrawal, the placebo effect does not always even have to be from a sugar pill, and lastly placebo works almost as well, if not just as well as actual antidepressants. Millions of Americans escape the deadly grip of depression by the help of popular drugs, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and other antidepressants (Turner et al). Only a select few know about my struggle with depression; [When I first received my medication, I took two prescribed pills of Prozac every morning. Not too long after taking it, I became more focused and driven at whatever tasks I was at hand. Anyone can safely start, a daily dose of antidepressants because they trigger the serotonin, one of the many brains signaling materials (Time Healthland). One of the negative points of antidepressants is that it can cause undesirable side effects. Doctors have prescribed antidepressants to patients who simply want to take an edge off of things, but the drugs can also cause distressing side effects. There are many levels of disability and symptoms of depression. Knowing these levels are a large part in knowing the effectiveness of the various antidepressants (Noonan et al, Newsweek). Antidepressants have side effects that include bleeding problems, and kidney or liver failure. The subject (people who use antidepressa... ...th-mental_health/t/placebos-power-goes-beyond-mind/#.T05fJmBuFl1>. Moerman, Daniel E., and Wayne B. Jonas. Annals of Internal Medicine. N.p., 19 Mar. 2002. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. . Connor, Steve. "Antidepressants Increase Suicidal Thoughts in Under-25s." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 12 Aug. 2009. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. . Alden, Wesley. "Dr. Oz: Sex and Exercise Reduce Stress The Fitness Center Orlando Sentinel." Dr. Oz: Sex and Exercise Reduce Stress The Fitness Center Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinal, 16 Aug. 2011. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. .