Antidepressants: What You Should Know Amid the Debate in the U.S.

• Most Common SSRIs
• Risk of Side Effects
• Debate on Safety

The use of antidepressants is becoming more common in the United States and around the world, but a new debate has raised uncomfortable questions:

Could they be linked to episodes of violence?

Although science has yet to confirm a direct connection, official warnings about side effects do exist.

Antidepressants and Their Impact on Health

1. What Are SSRIs?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed drugs for treating depression and anxiety.

They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps stabilize mood.

Some of the best-known include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Celexa).

Millions of people take them daily under medical supervision.

2. Most Common Side Effects of SSRIs

Like all medications, SSRIs can produce unwanted reactions:

• Nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
• Trouble sleeping or excessive drowsiness.
• Changes in appetite and weight.
• Sexual dysfunction (reduced desire or difficulty reaching orgasm).

According to medical sources such as Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus, these symptoms are usually mild and temporary, but they do require monitoring by a doctor.

3. Safety Warnings

Some antidepressants carry the FDA’s “black box warning,” the strictest warning the agency issues.

It highlights the risk of increased suicidal thoughts in adolescents and young adults during the first weeks of treatment.

Reports have also documented behavioral changes, irritability, and, in rare cases, aggressive impulses.

That is why specialists recommend close monitoring during the first months of use.

4. What Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Said

Following the school shooting in Minneapolis, U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that some antidepressants could be connected to episodes of violence.

He noted that the NIH (National Institutes of Health) is investigating whether SSRIs might contribute to violent behavior.

Kennedy also reminded the public that many of these medications already include warnings about suicidal and homicidal thoughts.

Although his remarks were controversial, they reignited debate on the widespread use of these drugs.

5. Balancing Benefits and Risks

Psychiatry experts agree that antidepressants are safe and effective when used properly under professional supervision.

They help millions of people manage depression and anxiety.

The risk of severe side effects is real but far outweighed by the benefits of well-prescribed treatment.

Stopping antidepressants without medical oversight can trigger withdrawal symptoms and worsen the condition.

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Antidepressants have transformed many patients’ lives, but they also carry risks that must be understood.

The key is medical follow-up, clear information, and vigilance for behavioral changes.

This article is for informational purposes only: never stop or start a treatment without consulting a healthcare professional.

Do you think society should pay more attention to the side effects of antidepressants, or do the benefits clearly outweigh the risks?

SOURCE: FDA Black Box Warning / Mayo Clinic – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)