Everyday Medications And Your Mood

Are your everyday medications making you sad?

 

Many of us take medications on a daily basis—for allergies, for joint and back pain, or for acid reflux. A large study found that over 200 medications that are commonly prescribed are associated with higher rates of depression than in people who do not take any of the medications. We often don’t focus on the mental side effects of medications, but we should.

 

From acetaminophen (Tylenol) to high blood pressure medications, you would be surprised what your pills can be doing to you. Even prescription eye drops for glaucoma are on the list, found here.

 

The more of these medications you take, the higher your risk for depression. Each additional drug you take compounds the risk of depression as well.

 

Why? We just don’t know yet. The large study found a correlation between both suicidal and non-suicidal thoughts over a 9 year period so this isn’t proof of cause and effect.

 

The point isn’t to stop taking your medications, but to recognize when you may be having changes in mood and what could be adding to it. Every action has a reaction—and the pill you take to treat one thing almost always has another effect, whether desirable or not.

 

Whether it is over the counter or by prescription, it is important to discuss everything you take with your doctor. The you can weed out what may or may not be literally depressing you!