Antidepressant Facts and Misconceptions – The New York Times

Even if you’ve never taken antidepressants, you’re probably aware of the criticism and controversy surrounding these drugs. It’s not uncommon to hear things like, “That drug is just a placebo.” “You’ll definitely gain weight.” “Once you start, you’ll become addicted.”

Is this true?

Dr. Gerald Sanacola, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, said there was a “kernel of truth” in these statements. and It’s important to set the record straight because the expectations people have about their treatment, for better or worse, “play a huge role in how treatment actually unfolds.” he added.

Dr. Sanacola and other experts addressed some common questions and misconceptions about antidepressants.

Will antidepressants change me?

Once antidepressants start working, you may feel like a different person in some ways, says Naomi Torres McKee, a clinical psychologist in New York City.

“Imagine this huge dark cloud weighing down on you. When the cloud clears, the world will look different,” she said, adding: in your life”

on the other hand, up to half A proportion of people taking antidepressants may experience some degree of emotional blunting or emotional numbing, and research shows that emotional blunting is more likely to occur at higher levels. . drug dosage.