Women, Antidepressants & Suicide
One Woman’s Story
(PRWEB) July 5, 2005 -- On June 30, 2005 the FDA issued another Public Health
Advisory that suggested there is a risk of increased suicidal thoughts for
adults treated with antidepressant medications. Apparently the risk is
heightened in both the early stages of treatment as well as when the dose is
changed, either increased or decreased. This means that the initial treatment
for depression as well as any dose adjustment could place an individual at
higher risk for suicide. Ironically, many people seek the use of antidepressants
to help alleviate symptoms of depression.
There have also been reports
that women have an increased risk of breast cancer and their fetuses are at risk
if an antidepressant is used during pregnancy. Another common side effect of
antidepressants is weight gain and sexual dysfunction, making it difficult to
believe that anyone would turn to this class of drugs as a solution.
Yet
the use of antidepressants has nearly tripled in the last decade with one in
three doctor’s visits by women involving a prescription for an antidepressant.
Why do so many women choose behavioral drugs?
These are just a few of
the areas that are addressed by Label Me Sane, a company that educates on the
dangers of drugs, particularly behavioral medications. They have an
international following where they not only inform the public but also help
individuals taper off the drugs safely and seek the root cause of their
symptoms.
One of the co-founders, Alesandra Rain, was prescribed both
antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs after a particularly stressful time in
her life led to serious depression. She chose to stay on the drugs for nearly a
decade before deciding to quit. What she experienced was an escalation in her
anxiety and depression as well as repetitive thoughts of suicide. “I didn’t know
what was happening to me. I was desperate to feel better but the drugs made me
feel detached from life and dull - yet I had constant thoughts of suicide. It
wasn’t until I tried to quit the drugs that I realized just how dangerous they
were,” states Rain.
Apparently she isn’t alone. Many people claim
antidepressants have a withdrawal syndrome that is nearly impossible to break.
Those struggling to stop the anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax or Klonopin have
an even worse time in withdrawal with potential risks of seizure or stroke.
“There are so many nutritional deficiencies that cause horrific symptoms
of mental illness and like myself, many people do not know how to find out what
is right for their body,” insists Rain. “I spent thousands of dollars trying to
find out what was wrong with me and it was through the use of DNA Nutritional
Genetic Testing that I located a severe B deficiency and the fact that I could
not metabolize B vitamins so they had to come from a natural food source.
Ironically one of the symptoms of B deficiency is depression and after I
balanced my diet based on the DNA results, the depression completely lifted. I
always stress the importance of finding out exactly what your body needs and
dealing with the root cause rather than a symptom,” concludes Rain.
Label Me Sane implements a natural tapering method to assist any
individuals who want to withdraw safely. They also provide referrals for any DNA
testing services. Contact them at 866.628.6135.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb257861.htm