Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
“SSRI’s” (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors):
(Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Lexapro)
Below is a list of symptoms that are commonly presented to my office from patients. What patients don't realize is their presenting chief complaints are frequently caused by the prescription medications that they are taking. The symptoms below are side effects from antidepressants, specifically, the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. Patients are frequently shocked when I "whip out"the Physician's Desk Reference and point out the side effects from antidepressants.
Depression is a multi-factorial condition. For the most part, depression is not the result of an antidepressant deficiency. Depression is typically caused by lack of Vitamin D, Essential fatty acid (Omega 3) deficiency, lack of exercise, and poor diet. A diet high in processed, refined carbohydrates and low in fat and protein, frequently leads to depression. Depression, is for the most part, related to the repressing or suppressing of thoughts, feelings, emotions and beliefs related to unresolved conflicts, issues or traumas in one's life. When we eat properly, drink our water, exercise, get our rest and take appropriate nutritional supplementation and we master our past conflicts, issues and events, depression becomes a thing of the past. For more information about life changing emotional balancing modalities, check out these great modalities; Theta Healing, Reference Point Therapy, Psych-k, EMDR, Rapid Eye Therapy and GAMMA and Emotional Freedom Technique.
Rash - Itchy Skin - Breathing Problems
Drowsiness - Nausea - Cough/Hoarseness
Low Back Pain - Side Pain - Mouth/ Lip Sores
Constipation - Diarrhea -Nervousness - Headaches
Dry Mouth - Weakness - Dizziness - Muscle Spasms
Sleep Disturbances - Panic Attacks/ Anxiety - Heart Damage
Brain Damage - Sexual Dysfunction - Visual Hallucinations
Electric-shock Sensations - Suicidal Thoughts/ Tendencies
Dyskinesia “TICS” - Agitation - Type 2 Diabetes
Bi-Polar - False Memory Syndrome - Weight Gain
Gastrointestinal Bleeding - Parkinson’s Related Symptoms
Energy Fluctuations/Fatigue - Apathy - Vomiting - Fever
Black/ Tarry Stools - Abdominal Pain - Appetite Disruption
Congestion - Seizures - Clumsiness - Hypoglycemia- Hair Loss
Teeth Grinding - Muscle/ Joint Pain
Sources:
Prozac Panacea or Pandora, Ann Blake Tracy, Ph. D. Cassia Publications, 2001.
Prozac Backlash, Joseph Glenmullen, M.D. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Complete guide to prescription and non prescription drugs, H. W. Griffith, M. D., S. Morre, M.D. 2004.
WARNING! The information presented here is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to examine, treat, diagnose or cure any medical condition. Nor is it to be a replacement for traditional medicine. All patients seeking to address the above side effects should do this with the guidance of a qualified, holistic oriented medical doctor. Do not attempt to adjust or eliminate one's own medication on their own. Sudden discontinue of antidepressants could result in injury or death.
