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A wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. For example: clinical depression, anxiety disorder, Bipolar etc. Statistics: Nationwide, almost one in five people (47.1 million) in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition. About 10% of youth in the U.S have severe depression (Mental health America, 2022).

Recovery is a process, beginning with diagnosis and eventually moving into the successful management of a mental health condition. Sustained recovery involves learning about the illness and effective treatment, empowerment with the support of peers and family members and finally, helping others achieve wellness. An effective treatment plan may include medication, psychotherapy and peer support groups. A balanced diet, exercise and sleep can also play a big role in your mental health.

Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is generally not recommended because both of these substances can make you drowsy, less alert, and uncoordinated. When taken together, those effects are increased. Combining alcohol with antidepressants could potentially be fatal. Alcohol can cause depression itself and also keeps some antidepressants from working as well as they should. This could lead to an increase in suicidal thoughts and actions. Therefore drinking while taking these medications is prohibited.

While it may seem reasonable to stop taking the medication, the problem is that at least 50% of the time the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety come back. If you are taking an antidepressant, it is very important that you work together with your doctor before making decisions about any changes in your treatment.

Changes in sexual function may be caused by many things. If you notice any changes in sexual function after starting these medication your doctor can determine whether your medicine may be responsible. These medications in the categories of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) include: Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro, can cause sexual side effects, including lowered sex drive, delay in the time it takes for you to have an orgasm, or make you unable to have an orgasm. Therefore if you experience any of these signs, talk to your doctor/psychiatrist immediately.

Most antipsychotics take 6-8 weeks to be effective, there a patient has to be on this medications around for that long to experience the maximum effect of the meds. If the patient wants to be off the meds after he or she feels “better”, it has to be at least 6 months before the patient can be weaned off the meds. Talk to your provider about safe weaning off.