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If you aren’t on antidepressants, the chances are good that you know someone who takes them. Many doctors are handing these drugs out like candy, with little conversation with patients about the side effects. Taking a look at the accompanying literature that you find with these pills can be frightening, but few people take the time to read it. They think if their trusted doctors gave it to them, then it must be safe. With prescription antidepressants, this is simply not true. One of the most common complaints when taking these medications is weight gain that doesn’t easily come off.
We’ll uncover some of the dangers of taking these drugs and show you some healthier ways of dealing with depression, anxiety, and stress that work as well, if not better than antidepressants.
Some of the information you read online will inform you that there are side effects that come with antidepressants but claim they typically calm down over time. In our clinical practice, we’ve not found this to be the case. Many people experience a host of issues they don’t expect when taking these drugs and sometimes they think the problem is related to other health conditions. (3) Some of the side effects of antidepressants are:
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it can illustrate how severe these medicines can be and show you some of the side effects you can expect when taking them.
Many physicians will tell you that weight gain is only a minor side effect and that it won’t last. Yet, the opposite may be true. Short-term use may increase your satiety levels, causing a potential weight loss. Taking antidepressants long-term could cause downregulation of your serotonin receptors. That leads to cravings for carbs and not the healthy kind. You may find yourself searching for pasta, bread, and sweet treats. (4)
Carrying extra weight is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, breathing problems, pregnancy issues, cancer, and (the irony) depression and anxiety. Given how quickly the pounds can add up, what are the natural alternatives to these antidepressant drugs?
There are many things you can do that won’t cause weight gain and that don’t come with all kinds of serious side effects. In our clinic, we help people get their health back, and often this includes losing weight with natural methods. In addition, the diet we feel is the most nutrient-dense also has studies regarding the positive effects on mental health.
A low-carb diet is one of the healthiest ways you can eat. You focus on protein and non-starchy veggies. It includes healthy fats, like coconut oil, fish, olive oil, butter, and certain cuts of meat. You also don’t need to do a lot of prep with this diet. You can make healthy meals in thirty minutes or less that are packed with vitamins and minerals your body needs. Growing research is showing more and more that a low-carb diet has benefits for your mental health. (5)
Now, before you decide meditation is too new and different for you, consider that this can be a five-minute practice you do in the comfort of your home. There are plenty of apps or online videos that will teach you how easy it can be to start meditating, and much of it has to do with simple breathing techniques. (6)
Meditation can be highly beneficial for managing stress and anxiety. It only takes a few minutes of your time and no fancy equipment is needed.
This is another point where some people think they don’t have the time or the financial means to get enough exercise. The truth is, you can do many things that you enjoy. Thirty minutes of daily walking is excellent for your health and is also incredible for depression. The research supports that physical activity that uses energy, no matter what it is, will reduce feelings of depression. (7)
Journaling has been a form of self-expression for hundreds of years. When you were younger, you may have even had a diary. Studies show that journaling is a great way to get your thoughts out so that you aren’t carrying them with you. There is something significant about the act of writing down how you feel that works to let it go. It’s like talking to a trusted friend. (8)
Supplements have a role in helping with depression. For instance, Dopamine Active is designed to stimulate and support healthy dopamine levels so you don’t face the trying issues related to low levels of dopamine. These issues include feeling depressed, mood swings, feelings of loneliness, intense cravings, and memory problems. Another thing we recommend is fatty fish because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. One of the supplements we recommend is fish oil. These are known to boost your mood and decrease levels of depression. Be sure you get quality fish oil as many on the grocery store shelves have already become rancid. (9)
When we talk about these, we don’t mean the brands you find at your local grocery store. Many times, these are filled with unhealthy ingredients that can be more harmful than healthy. You want to take a quality multivitamin that fills in the nutritional gaps, helping your body to function at its best.
If you are struggling with depression, we want you to know that we understand how serious it can be and how hard it is to find help. You don’t want the cure to be worse than the problem, and that’s often the case with prescribed antidepressants. It’s also difficult to come off these drugs when you’re ready. In our practice, we work with people who have different challenges, and we know that mental health is crucial to your overall well-being.
We want you to know that help is available and that there are lots of natural remedies that can significantly reduce your depression issues. Contact us today to learn more about how holistic medicine works and how functional practitioners help many people overcome health challenges. We also have various articles on our website where you can learn about natural medicine and our approach to nutrition. There is always hope, and we believe your future is brighter when you’re healthy!
References :
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/27/1234112068/antidepressants-youth-pandemic-study
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/mental-health-statistics/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9301-antidepressants-depression-medication
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8450889/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00035/full
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-meditation-helps-with-depression
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/depression-journal
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/6-natural-antidepressants#other-natural-antidepressants
