Antidepressants, also commonly known as SSRIs are commonly used prescription drugs. There are many different specific brands but they all have the same goal, to fight and possibly even cure depression. Antidepressants were discovered in 1950 when scientists were looking to help schizophrenia. Since then the antidepressant epidemic has grown drastically. The National Center for Health Statistics stated that 5% of American 12- to 19-year-olds use antidepressants. Although they are not as common among adolescents, the side effects can be much worse. Doctors should take more deep evaluations when prescribing antidepressants to teens because there are benefits to antidepressants but they are often overprescribed and given to people who don’t need them, antidepressants can increase psychological issues and, depression in teens can be fixed without the use of medication. Teens should be deeper evaluated because Antidepressants are often overprescribed and given to people who don't need them. In the article 'Are Antidepressants Overprescribed', Paula Derrow states, " Primary care doctors, not psychiatrists, are …show more content…
Harold Koplewicz states that 80%of teens suffering from depression can be treated simply by the help of a doctor or therapist. This statement says that you don't need medication to treat depression. According to Chris Kesser, "Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise is at least as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. One recent study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine in 2005 indicated that the “public health dose” of exercise led to remission rates of 42%. For the sake of comparison, the Collaborative Depression Study, conducted by the National Institute for Mental Health, indicated remission rates of 36% for cognitive behavioral therapy and 42% for antidepressant medication." This supports the idea that there are better ways to cure depression than