Q. I am 51 and have been on several different antidepressant pills, starting in my late 30s. I am concerned about possible unintended effects they might have.
I have been doing some weird things I’ve not done before, such as spelling my son’s name Kiven instead of Kevin, or asking why this item is on the table when I just put it there myself not five minutes earlier.
I haven’t been quite myself for some time now, and it worries me. I walk, lift weights and eat carefully. I don’t know what else to do at this point, or whether there are other ways to handle my depression without the medicine.
A. The long-term effects of antidepressants on memory and mental functioning have not been well studied. There is some concern, though, that there may be some memory impairment (Human Psychopharmacology, Dec, 2005). Depression itself can have a negative impact on cognitive function, so it is a challenge to sort out adverse drug reactions.
There are many non-drug ways to combat depression, including talk therapy, vigorous exercise, fish oil and light therapy. We recently discussed these and many other approaches in a one-hour radio show interview with Stephen Ilardi, PhD. You can listen to it and find our Guide to Dealing with Depression at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Never stop an antidepressant suddenly. You could trigger side effects such as dizziness, nausea, insomnia, headaches, nervousness, “brain shivers” and difficulty concentrating. Discuss your concerns with your physician.
