Increased Antidepressant/Anxiolytic Prescriptions are Impacted by the Society in Multiple Ways

Abstract

Since the first appearance of antidepressant, iproniazid in the 1950s (1) and first anxiolytics, librium in 1960 (2), there has been increased uses of anxiolytics and antidepressants drugs across the years. Although the drugs often come with some side effects, the use of these drugs are becoming more popular. The drugs are used to cure mental problems like anxiety disorder and depression by controlling the neurotransmitters like GABA-A, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the synapses between neurons in our body. This paper will try to find the cause of this phenomenon by looking at different factors like the impact of COVID-19, gender, economic influence, and veteran PTSD. Different events cause different hormonal changes in the body such as, hormone releases from menstruals cycle during ovulation, stressful, lonely, and fearful situations, causing potential impact on one’s body and one’s vulnerability to anxiety and depression. This paper will also look at the negative side of both medical and illicit anxiolytics and antidepressants, including side effects, abuse and addiction, and look for potential solutions to these problems.