Throughout history, healers, as well as scientists, have formulated
different remedies to heal illnesses that individuals have suffered from.
This practice has since changed the way that each society functions, as we
are now sometimes referred to as the "medicated generation." Our society
has grown accustomed to the usage of medications to heal. In recent years,
more and more people have become a part of an increasing population that
relies on potentially harmful prescriptions to cope with
stress, and this dependency may be causing more stress as opposed to
enabling those people to develop tactics to avoid and deal with stress.
However, research suggests that antidepressants are a beneficial way of
treating depression among our populace. Yet, many individuals question
the effectiveness of antidepressants, as these medications can be harmful
and have the likelihood of producing irreversible consequences in
adolescents and small children.
To truly understand the purpose of taking antidepressants it is essential to first understand depression. "A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things," according to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). One category of depression, major depressive disorders (MDDs), displays several symptoms and negatively affects many aspects of life from job performance to leisure activities (NIMH).