Is it too easy to access antidepressants now?

[yoghurttops]

I’ve been told I have antenatal depression. I’ve been feeling awful.

I was given antidepressants (metaprolol to be exact). However the diagnosis was done via my midwife and they have referred me to therapy. I then told my GP and they prescribed me with the medicine without even seeing me (telephone appointment) and the GP said that my notes of depression are not even on the system - which bizzar as it’s been a long conversation. The GP took my word for it and gave me a prescription.

Anyway, I’m handed these tablets, read the leaflets and I see so many scary side affects when taking it during pregnancy.

I almost want a medical professional to tell me all of my options and run through these side effects.

I’ve put off taking them, but I keep wondering if I should have gone through more of a process to get the right medicine?

They aren’t anti depressants.

Are you sure you've been given Metaprolol? They are a beta blocker prescribed for high blood pressure

They are sometimes prescribed for management of anxiety symptoms like rapid heart rate, panic attack symptoms, etc. But they have actually been linked to worsening of depression, so can't imagine they were prescribed for that!

No. Maybe in your individual case it's been too easy for you to access medication, but that doesn't mean it's true for society as a whole.

Metaprolol isn't an anti-depressant anyway. It's a beta blocker prescribed for helping manage the physical symptoms of anxiety. It won't do anything to help with your mood or mental state, hence why they're recommending therapy as well.

When I was put on Sertraline they just prescribed it after a quick phone consultation, but I then asked the consultant if she'd go through side effects and such with me as I was very worried about it and she did. I then switched to Citalopram after a few months and again, happy to prescribe the medication at the drop of a hat, but also happy to talk through it all when asked.

I think it's great that it's so much easier to access this sort of medication and help than it used to be. If you need more information or reassurance just ask, it's what they're there for!

Beta,blockers are also prescribed for anxiety .