From the author: Myths about antidepressants. Let's look at the most common misconceptions about treatment with antidepressants. TOP 8 myths about antidepressants (BP) BP will make me happy They are addictive and dependent Change the personality (thoughts, character, habits) They make a “vegetable” out of a person They lift your mood like drugs You have to drink for a very long time, perhaps your whole life They take BP only crazy people. Only weaklings who cannot solve their problem take blood pressure. Let's start from the beginning. What are antidepressants? Blood pressure are medications that affect the level of neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). An imbalance of these neurotransmitters is observed in schizophrenia, psychosis, asthenia, depression and anxiety. Therefore, ADs are prescribed for these diseases in order to restore this level of neurotransmitters. Blood pressure itself does not affect the cause of the disease. Imagine that you have a headache. You take an aspirin tablet. The drug removed the symptom (headache), but did not cure the cause of the headache. The same goes for blood pressure. Antidepressants can reduce or completely remove symptoms of depression: Pathologically low mood Anxiety Panic attacks Emotional and bodily tension Insomnia Other somatic manifestations (eating disorders, dyspeptic symptoms, tremors and numbness of the limbs, etc.) 1 myth. Will AD make me happier? No. Blood pressure alone cannot make you happier, just as aspirin will not make you healthy. BP affects painful symptoms and manifestations of depression. After all, very often depression is accompanied by unpleasant accompanying manifestations of neurosis. A person simply ceases to be himself; he is in constant tension and anxiety. AD relieves these symptoms and allows you to tune in to further psychotherapy. If a healthy person takes AD, he will not become happier and more positive. 2 myth. Do ADs cause addiction and dependence? First, let's understand the terms. Addiction is when the previous dose does not give the same effect. And the dosage should be increased. Dependence is when constant use of the drug is required. Problems arise upon withdrawal. ADs are not addictive or addictive. The so-called “rebound syndrome” is possible. This is when the condition worsens when the medication is stopped abruptly or too early. Therefore, they stop taking blood pressure slowly and gradually according to a certain scheme. Then the “rebound syndrome” can be avoided.3 myth. Do ADs change personality and character? Of course not. Blood pressure will relieve painful symptoms and normalize well-being. And only the person himself, as an individual, decides whether to change his habits, thoughts and way of thinking. Normalization of well-being can serve as a good platform for psychotherapy and further spiritual transformation. AD is not a new positive program that is put into your head. Only you yourself will become creators if you wish it.4 myth. ADs make a person a “vegetable”? ADs do not change a person’s psyche and do not affect the sense of reality. We have seen all the scary stories about “vegetables” in various films about mental hospitals, where patients are stuffed with unknown psychotropic drugs. This state of indifference to external stimuli (“ataraxia”) is a side effect of some antipsychotics. ADs do not have these side effects.5 myth. Do blood pressure lift your mood like drugs? Of course not. You should not expect such effects as euphoria, “high”, increased physical activity, or “wows”. There are no sensations. At all. The effect of the drug is not felt. You simply begin to notice how anxiety, internal tension, obsessive thoughts, and mental chewing gum go away. You realize that life is simple and beautiful, no matter how cliché it may sound.6 myth. You need to drink blood pressure for a long time, perhaps your whole life? Of course not your whole life, but long enough. From 3 months to several years. But basically it’s 1 year. So that a stable normal level of serotonin and norepinephrine is formed and does not change again after withdrawal -