Common antidepressant drugs may be a risk factor for bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, according to a new study. The class of drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), includes Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.
The study included about 26,000 people who had been prescribed an antidepressant, SSRI or other, from 1990 to 1995.
Participants who were taking an SSRI were three times as likely to suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding than people not taking the drugs. Among those taking an SSRI along with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or low-dose aspirin, the risk was even higher.
Researchers noted that gastrointestinal bleeding was still rare among SSRI-users, and the study did not account for other risk factors such as smoking and drinking.
Other antidepressants that acted on serotonin but were not SSRIs also seemed to increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, however less than the SSRIs. Non-SSRI antidepressants did not appear to affect the risk of bleeding.
Once participants stopped SSRI-use, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding returned to normal, according to researchers.
Archives of Internal Medicine January 13, 2003;163:59-64
Here is yet another reason why you should avoid using antidepressants as your exclusive method to treat depression.
Unfortunately, using drugs to treat depression is becoming quite common. The number of people treated over the last 10 years has increased by over 300 percent, and there are now close to 10 million people on antidepressants.
If metabolic biochemistry and optimized energetic balancing of previous emotional traumas were understood and applied, it would be very rare for antidepressants to be needed in the first place.
In the past, I have prescribed antidepressants to well over 2,000 patients. During the 80s, close to every other patient in my practice was on them. However, today, as I have learned how to treat the causes of disease, there are less than 10 patients in my practice on them.
There are three basic strategies to consider for the treatment of depression:
Previous studies have found improvement in depression with UV light treatments, but I feel full spectrum lighting is a better option, and the best option is sunlight. Unfortunately, that is a rare commodity for most of us during the fall, winter and spring months.
One of my primary foundations is biochemistry so I recommend additional basic elements (mentioned above) in the treatment of depression, including eliminating sugar and optimizing your omega-3 oils.
Dr. Andrew Stoll is a psychiatrist from Harvard and his recent book, The Omega-3 Connection, is an outstanding work detailing how fish fats can be enormously useful in treating depression. I highly recommend reading this book if you or someone you care about experiences depression.
Depression is one of the most devastating and common diseases on the planet. It exacts a toll far more significant in pain and suffering than just about any other disease.
Often, depression is the result of emotional blocks. EFT is a marvelous tool to treat these emotional blocks and depression. Thanks to EFT and a better understanding of biochemical nutrition, it is very rare that I need to use antidepressants for any patient.
If you are struggling with depression, one of the best things you can do is find a qualified EFT practitioner. Gary Craig provides a list of EFT Practitioner Referrals to help you find a practitioner in your area.
EFT can also be used for food addiction problems such as those relating to sugar or bread.
However, for serious depressive disorders you will want to consider seeking consultation with a trained therapist. I also offer my EFT Series on DVD or VHS. This video instruction can be used at home to enhance the treatment.
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