Essay About Taking Antidepressants While Pregnant

Being in a relationship with someone who has depression can be challenging. In this article find some tips on how you can help your partner and be a source of support for them. Inform Yourself Learn all that you can about depression, such as its causes, symptoms, and treatments so you know what your partner is experiencing and going through. There are books, and websites with just about all the information that you need to learn about depression. Know Fact from Fiction As you are researching about depression, learn the facts from fiction. Empathize and try to understand from your partners perspective the misconceptions about what mental illness is, and the best way to deal with the stigma. Don't Neglect Yourself When you are constantly

Your life is about to change, not only for the next nine months, but forever. News of your pregnancy may cause a variety of feelings and emotions, especially if this pregnancy is a surprise and you suffer from a history of depression, anxiety or other mental illness. If daily medication is part of your mental health regimen, you may be wondering how to proceed. What do you need to know about taking, and discontinuing, antidepressants during pregnancy? Why would I want to discontinue my antidepressants during pregnancy? There are no antidepressants that are considered to be 100% safe for pregnant women. However, that doesn't mean that they aren't a possibility at all. Some antidepressants have been proven to have relatively low risks when used correctly during certain parts of your pregnancy (for instance, after the first trimester for some, or not in the last trimester for others). Remember that there are also some risks with untreated depression. Only you and your doctor can determine whether the positive effects of antidepressants outweigh the potential risks. What should I do if I decide to stop taking my medication? You may decide to discontinue antidepressants during your pregnancy. Do this under a doctor's supervision. It's also a good idea to have a close friend or a family member who is aware of this decision. They may be able to notice any changes in you that require your physician's intervention. Your doctor

In a statement on April 2, 2010, pilots can start applying for air duty starting April 5th. Contingencies include the pilots have to be stable on the medication for the previous twelve months and the FAA will not punish pilots who have been using antidepressants secretly if they disclose such information in the next six months. Each pilot taking the drugs will have to be examined once every six months by an aviation medical examiner. The FAA states that this regulation is in line with many other flying organizations and is supported by the pilot's union. The Wall Street Journal states that a ban on psychiatric drugs stems from side effects such as drowsiness and sedation but the four drugs being used have far fewer side effects. The public has an opportunity to comment on the changes until May 3, 2010. Rationale The reasons for the move are twofold. The first is that the FAA wants to remove the stigma attached with depression in pilots. The general population has about a ten percent rate of usage for antidepressants and the FAA assumes pilots do not have a higher rate. The problem with this is that some pilots admittedly have been taking antidepressants in secret and may not be forthcoming with their usage. Another reason for the changes is that there should be no secrecy or stigma if a pilot has depression. Each case will