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LA Times Reports on the Mental Health Risks of Anti-Depressant Withdrawal
Attending depression workshops in Austin is a great tool for recovery
The LA Times recently featured an article by Staff Writer Regina Nuzzo highlighting the risks associated with discontinuation of antidepressant medications.
The article opens with the personal story of Ryan Yorke who began taking antidepressants after a freshman year panic attack. After a year of poor academic achievements and negative personality tendencies, Ryan (blessed by his mother and psychologist) decided to discontinue his daily dosage. Unfortunately, the negative behaviors he was seeking to reduce quickly spiraled out of control, culminating in attempted suicide after a six hour saga of quoting Shakespeare and talking about death and dying. Unable to cope with mood swings, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound, Ryan eventually dropped out of high school.
The story of Ryan Yorke strongly indicates the monumental importance of diagnosis and treatment options. Antidepressants should never be categorized as the quick fix or easy route for treating and coping with depression. Overmedicating has become a hot topic in the dialogue of modern American culture; and it is imperative (more now than ever) to do your research. Speak with more than one mental health professional, research online resources, consult friends and family. If you and your doctor ultimately choose to adopt a medicinal treatment program, be sure that you understand exactly why your doctor chose the specific antidepressant he prescribes, what the long term plan is, and what to expect in terms of discontinuation. For a list of Feel Good Austin counselors who specialize in depression treatment, visit the Depression Counselor section here. You can also find related workshops in Austin by visiting the Events section.
To read Regina Nuzzo's full article entitled Stopping Antidepressants Can Cause Side Effects, click here.
