The Other Side of Antidepressants

I remember when I went to a therapist after suddenly and unexpectedly losing someone that was very important to me, just days earlier. Within 10 minutes of the session, the therapist asked, "Do you think you need medication?"

My jaw may have hit the floor.  What?  No, I don't need medication, I need to feel sad because I'm grieving.  I need to process it and get through it.  

Ididn't actually say these things, but I was definitely thinking them.  I never went back.  

I understand that it doesn't feel good to feel bad.  No one likes hurting, sadness, fear, anxiety or any the emotions we would label "negative."  But there is  importance in feeling them- and releasing them.  There is no question that mental health issues are on the rise.  But when you look at the following numbers, we have to start questioning if we are overmedicating children and adults and as no medication comes without side effects, we have to ask ourselves, at what cost?

1 in 9 U.S. adults take antidepressants— and this increases to nearly 1 in 4 in middle-aged women.

2.1 million children in the U.S. are on psychiatric medications—many of them antidepressants.

A 2018 review in Addictive Behaviors found that more than half of users experience withdrawal symptoms.

Antidepressants are linked to increased suicidality in those under 25, despite being commonly prescribed to teenagers.

Taking a pill has become the first line of defense for dealing with an issue and antidepressants are among the most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S.  But for all the stories of relief and stability, there’s another side—one that’s rarely discussed in doctor’s offices, and often not mentioned at all when the prescription is first written.

This article is not meant to be anti-medication. It's meant to be pro-informed consent. And for that to happen, the full story needs to be told.

What Antidepressants Actually Do to the Brain

Most antidepressants, particularly SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. 

However, a comprehensive 2022 review in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that there is no clear evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin levels. Yet medications targeting serotonin continue to be prescribed by the millions, sometimes within minutes of a first visit.

These medications chemically alter brain function. 

Studies have linked long-term use to memory problems, slower cognitive processing, and difficulty concentrating (sometimes called “Prozac fog” or “SSRI apathy syndrome”).

Antidepressants manipulate levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine to influence mood. Over time, the brain stops producing these chemicals on its own leading to dependency and difficulty functioning without the drug. That’s why so many people feel worse—not better—when they try to stop taking them.

Why They Can Become Addictive — 

Antidepressants aren’t addictive in the traditional sense: they don’t create a “high,” and users don’t typically crave them. But the brain’s adaptation to these drugs can lead to a physical and psychological dependency that is, in effect, a form of addiction.

Many people find that when they try to taper off—even slowly—they experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Brain zaps or electric shock sensations

• Dizziness, nausea, and vertigo

• Emotional instability or crying spells

• Panic attacks or overwhelming anxiety

• Aggression or irritability

• Depersonalization or derealization

• Suicidal thoughts or despair

For some, these symptoms are so severe and long-lasting that they feel forced to stay on the medication, even if they no longer want to.

Studies show that up to 56% of antidepressant users experience withdrawal symptoms, and nearly half of those report them as severe. That’s not just difficult—that’s a medical and psychological dependency.

The Body Builds Tolerance

What I see most often is that clients will come to my office and report their anti-depressant “is not working”- usually meaning old, unwanted feelings are returning.  What is actually happening- the body is developing a tolerance to the drug.  As with many psychiatric medications, the brain adapts to the presence of the drug. Over time, this can blunt its effect—leading to what looks like a return of symptoms, when in reality, the nervous system has adjusted and requires a higher dose to maintain the same chemical balance.

The typical pattern seems to be- report this to the psychiatrist, a higher dose is prescribed (until the next time it “stops working”), and once the dose is maxed out, a new medication is tried.  Repeat. This pattern creates a revolving door of medication changes that never quite resolve the underlying issue. Instead of healing, patients are often left chasing stability through medication changes—while their brain continues to adapt and resist.

Were These Drugs Ever Approved for Minors? 

Despite the growing number of children and teens being prescribed antidepressants, most antidepressants were never FDA-approved for use in minors.

Here’s what’s important to know:

• The FDA has only approved two SSRIs for use in adolescents: fluoxetine (Prozac) for ages 8 and older, and escitalopram (Lexapro) for ages 12 and older.

• All other antidepressants are prescribed off-label to minors—meaning the FDA has not evaluated their safety or effectiveness in children or teens.

• In 2004, the FDA issued a black box warning for all antidepressants due to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults up to age 24.

Yet despite these warnings, antidepressant prescriptions for youth have continued to rise.

What About the Side Effects?

Antidepressants come with a long list of side effects that many users aren’t fully warned about. Common reactions include:

• Emotional numbing or flatness

• Sexual dysfunction (sometimes permanent, even after stopping the medication)

• Insomnia or chronic fatigue

• Weight gain or digestive issues

• Cognitive fog and memory problems

• Increased anxiety or agitation

Many people also report a growing sense of disconnection—from their own emotions, relationships, or sense of self. 

Are We Actually Healing or Just Quieting the Symptoms?

Perhaps the biggest concern is that antidepressants often silence symptoms without exploring their cause. Depression, anxiety, and emotional pain are not random—they are signals. They point toward something that needs attention, whether it’s trauma, nervous system dysregulation, unresolved grief, toxic stress, or a life misaligned with personal values.

When we suppress these signals with medication, we may feel some relief—but we’re not healing the source.

Healing requires courage, time, and often support. But unlike medication, healing gets to the root, and it's what allows true transformation.

So What Can You Do Instead?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you deserve real, lasting help. That might mean looking beyond the prescription pad.

• Find a therapist who practices trauma-informed, root-cause healing—not just symptom management.

• Seek out integrative providers who understand the connection between food, sleep, movement, gut health, hormones, relationships, and emotional well-being.

• Explore nervous system healing, somatic practices, and non-medication approaches to anxiety and depression.

• Learn how to safely taper—if you’re already on antidepressants, don’t stop cold turkey. Look for professionals trained in slow, supported medication tapering.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve found stability with antidepressants, there’s no shame in that. But if you’re questioning their long-term role in your life—or wondering why you still don’t feel “better” after years on them—you deserve to know you’re not broken, and you’re not alone.

Medication may offer a bridge. But healing requires a path. And the path forward is one where we no longer silence symptoms—but instead, listen to what they’re asking us to heal.