3 Things You Shouldn’t Believe About Antidepressants

It is an unfortunate reality in the world today there is a great deal of stigma around mental illness. This stigma carries with it many misconceptions about antidepressants. In turn, this makes life harder for those who are already experiencing mental health challenges. The way to stop the stigma is to avoid misinformation. So here are three common misconceptions about antidepressants that you shouldn’t believe. 

1. They’re Unaffordable

 One of the barriers to entry that can initially turn people off of the idea of taking antidepressants is that they’re unaffordable. While it is true that they can be expensive, this is not always the case. The market price tag and what you actually end up spending can be vastly different.

 For many years, people have had to pay a pretty penny to get the mental health resources they needed. But these days, the medical industry is undergoing massive transformations, largely spearheaded by companies fed up with the status quo. Now there are so many different ways to get the help you need. You can even get mental health treatment online.

 Some of these companies’ new services allow you to get a month’s prescription of brand-name antidepressants for $80 without insurance. Now, that may seem like a big number. To frame it properly, a month’s prescription of the same brand-name antidepressants will, on average, run you $487.75 without insurance.

 So if you’ve fallen prey to the common misconception that antidepressants will cost you an arm and a leg, reconsider. So many companies are trying to disrupt the market and make prices for essential treatment lower than ever before. It will only cost a fingernail and a toenail, and those grow back. 

2. They’re Addictive 

Some people are afraid that once they start taking antidepressants, they’ll have to take them forever. If you’ve heard this before, you may perceive taking medicine as some kind of death sentence. However, this is far from the truth, and antidepressants cannot cause you to form a chemical addiction. This is because of how antidepressants actually work.

 There are two main kinds of antidepressant medications. Some are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or “SSRIs,” and some are norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or “SNRIs.” SSRIs focus on regulating your brain’s neurotransmitters, and SNRIs focus on balancing different brain chemicals. 

While their methods differ, the goal of both of these antidepressants is to temper your mood and anxiety. And neither add any chemical to your system that have addictive properties nor do they cause cravings by subtracting chemicals.

 The only symptom that SSRIs or SNRIs can cause that is similar to an addictive substance is withdrawal. However, this is usually due to improper reduction of dosage over time, i.e. going off your meds too quickly. Work with a trusted healthcare provider, and they will be able to wean the medication when the time is right. Truly, the idea that antidepressants are addictive is only a myth. 

3. They’re A Sign You’re Broken 

To directly address the stigma so many suffer from — taking antidepressants does not mean you are a broken person. There is an unfortunate and inevitable truth about this world that many would like to pretend doesn’t exist. The truth is that, in one way or another, eventually, everyone will experience some form of suffering. And, in turn, everyone will also need some form of help. 

Ask yourself this: if your leg broke, would you refuse help? Imagine you see a doctor and they recommend you get a cast for your leg and use crutches until you heal. Would you reject the doctor’s advice? 

In this example, both casts and crutches act as support systems to help restore your body to health. In the same way, antidepressants act as a support system to help restore your mind to health. If you are struggling with depression, you are not a broken person. You are a person in need of help, as everyone is from time to time. 

It can be difficult to admit you need help, it’s true. That is why finding people in your life who will support you can be such a big step forward. Again, if your leg was broken, would you want friends who say you’re overreacting? Or would you want friends who encourage you to seek a healthy solution by getting the cast and using the crutches? Likewise, if your situation is particularly dire, having people who support you can be the difference between life and death.

 Antidepressants Are Misunderstood 

Many misconceptions about antidepressants are spread like rumors. Some of these rumors are about affordability or addictiveness. Some are about what it means to be someone taking antidepressants. And, unfortunately, these rumors can often have powerful and devastating effects on those who need help the most. 

But many of these rumors are not grounded in reality. Many of them, once examined for what they are, dissipate like mist in the morning sun. So if you or someone you know is considering getting help for mental wellbeing, don’t fear. Antidepressants are, in the hands of the right caretaker, safe and effective forms of medicine to treat a wounded mind.