Antidepressants Must Be Used Under Doctor's Control

Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Assistant Medical Director, Psychiatrist Asst. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu evaluated the increasing use of antidepressants in the society.

Stating that psychiatric disorders are increasing and diversifying in all societies, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu, Depression is the most common psychiatric illness in society. It occurs twice as often in women than in men. The incidence is even higher in the 17-25 age group. When we add anxiety disorders to depression, we can understand the increase in the use of antidepressant drugs. In recent years, there has been a serious increase in mental illnesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic negative effects it has created. In clinical practice, there is an increase in admissions to outpatient clinics and illness requiring hospitalization. Unfortunately, there is an increase in young, adolescent, advanced and all age groups.” said.

Emphasizing that the use of antidepressants should be made by a psychiatrist to make the correct diagnosis and enter the person's life under the control of a doctor, Dr. Baripoğlu continued his words by saying:

“A person should not start using antidepressants by hearing about himself. Using antidepressants without expert control can have serious negative consequences. Problems with the liver, heart rhythm problems, problems in kidney functions, deterioration in the blood picture, mood swings, mood elevation, which we call hypomania-mania, symptoms of bipolar mood disorder may occur.

Over-the-counter drugs are no longer available. However, there are still individuals who buy and use it without a prescription. Of course, we do not approve of this situation. Antidepressant drugs, like all other drugs, are drugs that can have side effects as well as positive effects. Therefore, it should be started to be used with the doctor's prescription with the recommendation of the doctor, and the doctor should follow the effect and side effects of the drug very regularly throughout the use period.

"Antidepressants are not the only solution for anxiety disorders and depression," said Assist. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu said that psychotherapy support, depending on the severity of the disease, is applied as the primary treatment method or in addition to the drug, increasing the success of the treatment and reducing the risk of recurrence of the disease.

Noting that mental health and psychological well-being can be possible with some precautions, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu concluded her words by saying:

“It is very important to have people you choose and value in your life and to have a relationship with them, to spare time for yourself and to have a lively social life, to benefit from daylight, to do sports, to eat healthy and to pay attention to sleep patterns.”