Although the pain & suffering one endures during depression is real, the high & dangerous risks of the antidepressants prescribed will in many cases make matters worse.

One recent study yielded results which surprised the authors, specifically that of three groups of patients being treated for depression, the two groups using medication (a Zoloft alone group, & a Zoloft plus exercise group) had significantly higher rates of relapse than the one group using only exercise as treatment.  Initial recovery or improvement rates were similar but the drug performed poorly for the long term. Read full article.

Standard antidepressants (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil (Aropax), & Zoloft have recently been revealed to have serious adverse side effects. They have been linked to suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding, & brain tumors. Other common SSRIs include: Serafem, Luvox, Celexa, & Lexapro. SNRI Antidepressants include: Effexor, Remeron, Servone,  & Cymbalta. Lastly, Atypical Antipsychotics include: Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Seroquel, & Risperdal.

The manner in which SSRIs affect the brain is highly dangerous.  Antidepressants lower serotonin metabolism (5HIAA). Although doctors claim that serotonin (5HT) is low during depression (serotonin brain levels can not be tested in living patients), it is suggested that the serotonin metabolism is actually what is low. When seorotonin goes up while taking an antidepressant, the serotonin metabolism goes dramatically down (as evidenced by serotonin byproduct 5HIAA, which CAN be tested in living patients)  leading to an even further & even more dangerous depressed state. When serotonin is elevated & serotonin metabolism is lowered, you have the following results:

• schizophrenia, psychosis, mania, etc.
• mood disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.)
• organic brain disease - especially mental retardation at a greater incident rate in children
• autism (a self-centered or self-focused mental state with no basis in reality)
• Alzheimer's disease
• anorexia
• constriction of the blood vessels
• blood clotting
• constriction of bronchials and other physical effects
• suicide (especially violent suicide)
• arson
• violent crime
• insomnia
• alcohol abuse
• impulsive acts with no concern for punishment
• reckless driving
• dependence upon various substances
• bulimia
• multiple suicide attempts
• hostility and more contact with police
• exhibitionism
• arguments with spouses, friends and relatives
• obsessive compulsive behavior
• impaired employment due to hostility, etc.

Recent FDA warnings highlight concerns of the efficacy of antidepressants in children. Recently the FDA ordered a "black box" warning  stating an increased risk of suicidal thinking & behavior on all antidepressants given to children. Britain has banned all antidepressants for children with the exception of Prozac. 

Despite the increased risk of suicide, violent & aggressive behavior, homicidal behavior & psychosis in children taking SSRIs, last year there were over 15 million prescriptions alone written for children. Within the past decade, the suicide rate for children aged 5 - 14 has doubled! Please read the following warnings found on antidepressantsfacts.com: "Suicide Rates Doubled"     "Akathisis & Mania"

What is even more interesting is that in recent clinical studies, antidepressants have an equal effect or less than equal effect on patients diagnosed with depression than that of placebos. The "idea" of one getting treated through taking a drug had more of an effect on a patient's condition than that of the actual drug itself!

Maybe the answer in healing without medication lies in your own mental ability to believe in yourself, remain strong, and have hope & faith that you can make it through! The dangers of the drugs are not worth the risks! Drugs only mask your problems, not solve them. If you want to feel better & remain better, YOU HAVE TO FACE YOUR PROBLEMS HEAD ON! If this is never done, you will never be able to heal completely! You & only you have the power to accomplish mental healing within yourself. You can reprogram your thinking by finding something positive to focus on, something good about yourself, for example & repeating it over & over & over. Then as you recover you may only need to mentally repeat the affirmation when you start feeling the depression setting in. It may take time but it will work & one day you will be healed once & for all. Hiding behind a drug is not the answer & the risks involved are too great. Your life & the life of all those you love & who love you that surround you are at risk when you are taking these drugs! You are too valuable & worthy to be sacrificed to the drug makers for their profit...you deserve to find peace within yourself naturally, the way it was intended.

The following website offers many great alternative ways of healing. "Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Care."

To report psychiatric abuse & for more information on the dangers of psychotropic drugs & current practices used in psychiatry today, please visit the following website: Citizens         Commission on Human Rights http://www.cchr.org/