There are many misconceptions about antidepressant medications in society. These misconceptions can delay starting treatment, negatively affecting patients' recovery process.
- •Antidepressants Are Happiness Pills.
Antidepressants are not happiness pills. You cannot use antidepressants by saying "I'm fine but I want to feel happier." Using antidepressants unnecessarily causes side effects instead of benefits.
- •Antidepressants Are Addictive.
Antidepressants are not addictive. However, if you suddenly stop the medication before treatment is complete, the chemical balance in the brain is disrupted and withdrawal symptoms may occur. Addiction means using something in increasingly larger amounts; with antidepressants, there is no need to use increasingly larger doses.
- •Antidepressants Change Your Personality.
Antidepressants do not change personality. On the contrary, they help bring out the personality that you couldn't express due to conditions like depression.
- •Antidepressants Lead to Suicide.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about antidepressants. Antidepressant use alone does not cause suicide attempts. Many depression patients already have suicidal thoughts. When antidepressant treatment begins, the patient's physical strength recovers before their mental state. Therefore, patients with suicidal thoughts should be carefully monitored.