Overuse of Antidepressants Today and How Aldous Huxley Predicted It

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Antidepressants are a prescription drug now used by people of all ages. They have become a part of society, therefore, taking antidepressants is not frowned upon. Antidepressants are used to make people feel “happier” and not to feel sadness. This is shown in the dystopian society in the book Brave New World written by Aldous Huxley in 1932. In that society the people use soma, a well-known drug, to make them feel no pain and are conditioned to think soma fixes everything. Helmholtz and Bernard two main characters, do not take it because they want to be able to see the world for what it is. They also do not want soma to change how they feel; they want to appreciate nature. In addition Lenina and Henry love taking soma because then they cannot feel any pain, they are just happy all the time. In our society, people think that antidepressants will make them feel no pain and that these medications will fix all of their problems. Antidepressants have a negative impact on society today as well as in the book Brave New World. Antidepressant usage has increased all around the world and is used by all ages. Doctors are prescribing more prescriptions, even if the patient does not need the medication. “Antidepressants prescriptions in the UK have increased by 9.6% in 2011, to 46 million prescriptions” (Are Antidepressants overused?). This study took place in the United Kingdom; however, a lot more prescriptions are being prescribed all around the world. The use of antidepressants is increasing to an all time high because doctors do not want to waste time talking about feelings. The psychologist’s just want the patients to feel better quickly so they prescribe antidepressants. Human beings as well as doctors think that prescribing medicat... ... middle of paper ... ...ation changes who a person is and it should not be prescribed. Works Cited “Are Antidepressants Overused?” Science Daily. BMJ- British Medical Journal, Inc., 22 January 2013. Web. 25 April 2014. Doctor, Ronald M., Ada P. Kahn, and Christine Adamec. “Antidepressants as a Treatment for Depression and Anxiety.” Health Reference Center. Facts on File, Inc. Web. 25 April 2014. Fitzpatrick, Laura. “A Brief History of Antidepressants.” Time. Time, Inc., 07 January 2010. Web. 25 April 2014. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper & Bros., 1946. Print. Mitchell, E. Siobhan. “Teen Trends and Attitude toward Antidepressants.” Health Reference Center. Facts on File, Inc. Web. 24 April 2014. Smith Melinda. “Antidepressants (Depression Medication)” Helpguide.org. February 2014. Web. 24 April 2014

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