Article by Josephine Osborn

Depression in the US is seen in 1 out of 10 individual as what statistic has found. Many factors are seen to be connected with depression. A life changing situation may trigger it but some cases are seen to have no precursor. The real cause of depression is still unknown but there are many theories about it. Some experts on this field are saying that the cause of this is the lack of Serotonin in the brain due to the fast breakdown of Serotonin in the brain. Depression is also high in women due to the hormonal change that they have. If a family member has depression it would make other members prone to developing depression but it doesn’t mean that people who don’t have a family history of depression are not at risk. Depression can also come in certain age groups like in teens and elderly. Others who are at risk are people with negative attitude, introverts and have low self esteem. A study has seen that Paxil users are at a risk of heart attack than non-Paxil users especially in ages 60 and up. Psychologists say that the first step to recovery from depression is recognizing the signs. Depression does only cause sadness but also irritability and anger. Depression may also cause a person to lack interest in doing day to day activities. They may lack sleep or may also oversleep. Without any intention of gaining or losing weight but have gained or lost weight by 5kgs in just a month. They also lack concentration even in performing simple tasks and in making decisions. They have repeated thoughts about death or committing suicide. Lack of energy due to inadequate sleep. Moving like they are in slow motion or like they are in a constant unrest but in some cases they may be catatonic in which they won’t move at all. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt always plagued them. As a way to manage the following symptoms, doctors prescribe antidepressants like Paxil. Although it may stop the feelings of depression and the person may regain their life back, it doesn’t give 100% insurance that it will cure the person. They will not feel that they are fully free from depression which makes them take the drug continuously and eventually will be dependent on the drug. Thus they won’t feel any relief from the smaller dose that they used to get. Some people even experience severe side effects from Paxil. Paxil birth defects are one of the startling side effects that Paxil has and it happens when an expecting mother takes Paxil during the first trimester of her pregnancy.

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I am 22 weeks pregnant with a long history of depression. I was on antidepressants from the age of 14 until just a few months ago. When I found out I was pregnant I was on a low dose of Emsam (antidepressant) but figured I’d rather be safe than sorry and hurt my baby with a medication that has an “unknown risk to fetus” I weaned myself off of the meds and have been med free for about 3 months now. I was feeling GREAT, like a brand new person, almost convinced that I didn’t need antidepressants anymore EVER. BUT recently, like for the past few weeks I feel a deep sorrow. As if someone I love died or something was terribly wrong, except there is nothing wrong. I know this feeling of frustration and inability to enjoy life all to well and I’m so upset that IT (depression) is back. I am afraid of postpartum depression and wondering if I should go back on meds or if there is some other way to fight this. I HATE it .. and always have… I’d rather be physically ill than deal with this monster that keeps visiting me since i was a young adult… help please.. I don’t want to harm my baby but what can I do.. or is this maybe just hormonal/ normal side-effect of pregnancy that will pass?