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The Daily OrangeAntidepressant use, depression rising
By Rich Gomes
Posted: 3/27/02, 2:17 AM EST Section: Feature
Justin Sassone’s grandmother died of bone cancer at 83 years old. Sassone was devastated. After spending much of his childhood in his grandmother’s care, her death sent him spiraling into a dark depression.
Eighteen years old at the time, he began to see the world in shades of gray.
Once touted by friends as a comedian with an unmatched personality, Sassone suddenly lacked all desire and motivation.
After several episodes of uncontrollable crying, Sassone finally sought help from a psychiatrist. He was diagnosed with clinical depression.
Now 20 years old, Sassone shares his carefree personality with a new circle of friends. He credits the popular antidepressant Prozac for lifting him from his depression.
“Prozac kind of helped me with that empty feeling you get in your chest when you’re depressed, but it didn’t stop [me] from having thoughts that kept me down,” Sassone said.
“Speaking with my doctor helped me out a ton and my mom was there a lot more. I really had to look at why I was so down all the time and learn to get past it.”
Like Sassone, millions of Americans are being treated for psychological illnesses like depression, and are increasingly turning to prescription antidepressants as a cure-all.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jan. 2002), the number of Americans treated for depression rose from 1.7 million to 6.3 million between 1987 and 1997. During the same time, the percentage of patients receiving antidepressant medications doubled.
The rise is most likely due to the increased availability of different antidepressant drugs, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Luvox.
These drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. These medications work by blocking the chemical serotonin in certain transmitters in the brain. Since serotonin is concentrated in areas that control emotions, a change in the chemical’s flow has an effect on people’s emotional state.
Eighteen years old at the time, he began to see the world in shades of gray.
Once touted by friends as a comedian with an unmatched personality, Sassone suddenly lacked all desire and motivation.
After several episodes of uncontrollable crying, Sassone finally sought help from a psychiatrist. He was diagnosed with clinical depression.
Now 20 years old, Sassone shares his carefree personality with a new circle of friends. He credits the popular antidepressant Prozac for lifting him from his depression.
“Prozac kind of helped me with that empty feeling you get in your chest when you’re depressed, but it didn’t stop [me] from having thoughts that kept me down,” Sassone said.
“Speaking with my doctor helped me out a ton and my mom was there a lot more. I really had to look at why I was so down all the time and learn to get past it.”
Like Sassone, millions of Americans are being treated for psychological illnesses like depression, and are increasingly turning to prescription antidepressants as a cure-all.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jan. 2002), the number of Americans treated for depression rose from 1.7 million to 6.3 million between 1987 and 1997. During the same time, the percentage of patients receiving antidepressant medications doubled.
The rise is most likely due to the increased availability of different antidepressant drugs, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Luvox.
These drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. These medications work by blocking the chemical serotonin in certain transmitters in the brain. Since serotonin is concentrated in areas that control emotions, a change in the chemical’s flow has an effect on people’s emotional state.
