A few days ago, the Journal of the American Medical Association(1) published a study relating the prevalence of prescribed medications to depression as a potential adverse effect.

Thus, they focused their research on this primary question: Is prescription drug use associated with depression?

The results of this analysis conducted between 2005 and 2014 on 26,192 Americans, shows that the estimated overall prevalence of U.S. adults using medications with depression as a potential adverse effect was 37.2%.

The percentage of adults with depression was higher in those who used more medications (e.g., 15% for ≥ 3 medications).

Nevertheless, depression as a side effect has long been a known fact according to Sauveur Boukris(2), a general practitioner and author of the book Ces médicaments qui nous rendent malades.

This is something that has been known for a long time. This includes, for example, reserpine-based blood pressure medications, such as Aldomet; Tramadol-based pain medications, which can cause a sedative and depressive effect. Still other drugs, such as those used to treat Parkinson's disease, which are dopamine-based, also have a depressive side effect.

The results of the study should be read with some perspective. Indeed, the researchers do not specify whether they are major or minor depressions. Depression is an overused term that can refer to a real depression or a temporary bout of low spirits.

Thus, the link between medication and depression is not always obvious, as serious illnesses with heavy and painful treatments are sometimes considered a factor in depression. Depression is then considered to be part of the context of the illness.

It should also be noted that people with depressive tendencies are more sensitive to the adverse effects of certain treatments.

If there is depression, substitute treatments exist. When there is no alternative treatment, the medication is prescribed with an antidepressant.

Otherwise, to counteract the effects of medication in depression, many doctors and therapists recommend mindfulness meditation which has shown excellent results on mild depression and is of course associated with many "positive" side effects... such as less stress, better sleep, more vitality(3).

But these types of drugs are not the only ones to cause side effects. Oral contraceptives are known to cause depression and mood disorders.

Are patients adequately informed?

Physicians are generally not trained or informed about the side effects of certain medications.

Therefore, we advise you toread attentively the package insert before taking any medication and to follow the prescribed doses.

You can also consult natural health professionals such as naturopaths to guide you towards more natural treatment solutions.

Sources:
(1) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2684607
(2) http://www.atlantico.fr
(3) https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/depression-la-meditation-est-aussi-efficace-que-les-antidepresseurs_19521