Health hazards of central nervous system depressants

While antidepressants are routinely used as a first-line treatment for depression, evidence suggests they cause more problems than they solve. Several studies have shown their effectiveness is on par with placebo and some of the worst side effects have long been ignored, or worse, hidden. Among them is the risk of violent acts against oneself and others.

Research in the USA shows the proportion of adults taking at least one drug where suicide is a potential side effect hit 23.5% as of 2013, up from 17.3% in 2005, and 38.4% of American adults were in 2014 on one or more medications that can cause depression as a side effect.