Can lexapro cause more depression?

Let’s face it, depression is no joke. We’ve all been there at some point in our lives; feeling sad, uninspired or simply lacking the motivation to get up from bed. Antidepressants have become somewhat of a standard remedy for those struggling with this mental health condition over recent years.

Enter Lexapro- one of the most widely prescribed ant-depressant medications on the market today. While many people perceive it as an effective treatment option, several studies suggest that its use might result in additional signs of depression (no offense to good ol’ escitalopram).

Here’s the lowdown on whether Lexapro can cause more harm than good when treating depression and anxiety.

First things first… What Is Depression?

Before diving into anything else let’s define what we’re talking about here; clinical depression refers to a group of symptoms characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in almost everything you once enjoyed doing-problems with sleeping, eating as well as decrease energy levels significantly-ie-you won’t find joy washing your clothes anymore even if you tried listening to taylor swift (yup! That’s how bad it gets!).

Depression may also take forms such as dysthymia (mild consistent form) and major depressive disorder (the severe type).

If any two suicide themed thoughts linger consistently(hopelessness/ideation/or something extreme), then there is someone significant reason why professional medical intervention should be sought after pronto!

What is Lexapro?

To put things into perspective-Lexapro belongs alongside other drugs like Prozac,Zoloft e.t.c which fall under selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs)-that work by increasing serotonin activity-which ultimately has mood‐stabilizing effects. Serotonin plays an important role in regulating our moods among other things which is why most antidepressants focus on it (think of it as the happy vibes messiah here!)

Ahh yes!, before we proceed its vital to note that It’s a prescription drug in many countries- so you can’t just walk into your local pharmacy and ask for a refill…but if you do, well…😅

How Does Lexapro Work?

Lexapro works like other SSRIs by enhancing the serotonin neurotransmitter signals passing between brain cells- thereby improving depression symptoms. In simpler terms, it increases the number of available “happy chemicals” that our brains produce.

It’s recommended that patients take their medication consistently without skipping doses or stopping abruptly. Dosage is an important factor when taking medications such as Lexapro with doctors typically recommending different amounts depending on individual cases.

What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Lexapro?

Like any other medication out there, side effects are likely to occur while using lexapro. Below are some common short-term negative reactions associated with this drug:

  1. Nausea – Feeling sick to one’s stomach-be prepared for puking sessions.
  2. Dizziness ―The sensation of lightheadedness
  3. Insomnia ― Difficulty sleeping at night-everything around you might appear more fun than sleeping 💤.
    4.Drowsiness ― feeling excessive fatigue
    5.Diarrhea ― Uncontrolled pooping (Not ideal!)
    6.Headaches — Migraines can be catastrophic even post-drug administration
    7.Sexual dysfunction — Reduced libido,bile movement,difficulty ejaculating among others

These side-effects can affect work performance and daily living activities thus reducing overall quality of life.

Now onto the elephant(antidepressants) in the room; The question remains-Would taking an antidepressant lead to more depression-after all isn’t this paradoxical! Some researchers suggest that antidepressants such as Lexapro have the potential to cause suicidal thoughts or worsening symptoms in patients with depression.

When searching through clinical trails available globally, you will find a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration advising that “Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24.”

This might bring some level of reassurance but it’s important to note that if there are additional triggers contributing to depressive episodes,it could exacerbate one’s mental health.

Don’t let this scare you away from trying lexapro out though-It has been proven effective for many people struggling with depression and anxiety.

How Can You Avoid Unnecessary Side Effects?

Sometimes lexapro effects can be avoided or minimized by implementing-the following help tips:

  1. Stay Hydrated! — Water is an essential element within our body helping us maintain vitality-lack of hydration,henceforth leads into dizziness.
  2. Adjust The Time Of Intake—The ideal time intake differs depending on individual factors like, work timing/habits and side effects such as insomnia especially when beginning medication
    3.Talk To A Professional First—Ensure your mental state is monitored closely whilst starting treatment/advising what works best for you!
    4.Create Routine Positive Habits – Practicing healthy routine habits which enhance daily productivity should minimize negative impacts related to drug usage.
    5.Be Realistic About What Antidepressants Are Capable Of Doing - Lexapro isn’t going solving everything 😝😝

Let’s face it; living with depression or any other mood disorder can sometimes negatively impact one’s life leading towards unpleasant consequences if untreated so seeking professional medical attention isn’t just smart-it becomes almost mandatory!.

Whilst there remain certain risks associated with taking lexapro-life is all about trying different options until we find something that works well for each individual person-The most significant step to recovery is acknowledging that there’s an issue in the first place!

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