The number of Americans taking antidepressant medications is growing, and it’s not due to a Prozac deficiency epidemic. Just as insomnia is not the result of an Ambien deficiency, depression is not the result of your body’s lack of Prozac.
According to the WHO, cases of depressive illness increased by nearly a fifth from 2005-2015. Though helpful in some cases, there are superior treatment options to antidepressants. Long term use of psychiatric medications can cause disruptive alterations in brain biochemistry. Thankfully, with the proper support, knowledge and empowerment, you can achieve sustainable, drug free mental health. We will work with you to identify, address and provide a sustainable solution to your mental condition.
According to the CDC, between 2011-2014, ~10% of the general population and ~18% of Americans over 45 years old had taken an anti-depressant within the past 30 days. Despite their prevalence of usage, the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants, SSRI’s, have not been definitively proven to work much better than a placebo pill, and come with bothersome side effects (1,2).
In the majority of cases, there are more effective, less harmful, and longer-lasting solutions for treating mental illness or emotional distress. Strong evidence suggests that specific diet changes (3), exercise (4,5), mind-body techniques (6), certain supplements (7,8), sleep optimization (9), and exposure to nature/sun/community (10) are effective in improving mental health conditions. We are here to help you find the most effective and sustainable treatment plan for you.
If you choose, you are welcome to stay on psychiatric medications. However, if desired, we will help to wean you off of psychiatric medications, which is achievable even after many years (or even your entire adult life) on psychiatric medications. We have supported patients to transition from exceptionally high, daily doses of very powerful psychiatric medications to taking none at all, resulting in vast improvements in mental and physical health and wellbeing.