Antidepressants
Antidepressants include Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Cymbalta, Zoloft, Effexor, Auvelity and Remeron. These drugs come in multicolored capsules and tablets.
Studies have shown that the effects of these drugs can include:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Violent thoughts and actions
- Agitation
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide
- Tremors
- Hostility
- Sweating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Aggression
- Criminal behavior
- Confusion and incoherent thoughts
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Akathisia*
Youth taking these drugs are twice as likely as adults to act aggressively. Studies have shown higher violent crime rates among young adults on these medications. Antidepressants can significantly increase the risk of suicide.
There are many examples of extreme and irrational behavior from individuals on these drugs.
One 12-year-old boy developed violent nightmares about killing his classmates, then getting shot himself. The dream continued to feel “very real” after awakening and he grew acutely suicidal until the drug was stopped.
* akathisia: a movement disorder that makes it impossible to sit or remain still due to an intense inner restlessness
My brain feels like it’s screaming at me to get more of these pills. The feelings I have without them are too unbearable. I need more help getting through this Effexor withdrawal. I’m so depressed that I’ve started cutting my arms, and I’m not even sure why. Also I hallucinate every few hours and see things—just today I saw blood dripping down my wall.” —Rita
A man rammed a police officer with his vehicle so he could grab the officer’s gun and shoot himself. Another drowned his two small children and himself in a bathtub, while yet another beat a close friend for no apparent reason. None had any previous history of violence.
Withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants include suicidal thoughts, aggression, anxiety, depression, crying spells, insomnia, dizziness, vomiting, headaches, tremors and electric “zap” sensations in the brain.
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