Antidepressants impair driving ability in the depressed
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2575396/Antidepressants-impair-driving-ability-in-the-depres...
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- toshiba
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In a controlled test, researchers found that a combination of the mental illness and the medication led to the deterioration in their driving ability.
"They are far more affected that people taking antidepressants who did not report continuing symptoms of depression," it said.
The 60 participants were asked to complete a variety of driving manoeuvres, including reacting to brake lights or traffic signals while being distracted by cyclists, speed limit signs, animals or other hazards.
The simulation tested the ability to steer, concentrate and scan the road for obstacles.
The study found that of the 31 participants who were taking anti-depressants, those who reported a high level of depressive symptoms, performed significantly worse on several of the tasks.
Test subjects who were taking the medicines but were not depressed performed no worse than non-medicated individuals.
The research, led by pyschologists Holly J. Dannewitz PhD and Thomas Petros PhD, of the University of North Dakota, found that one's mood plays a greater role than medication in affecting the ability to perform complex tasks.
"Individuals taking antidepressants should be aware of the possible cognitive effects as [they] may affect performance in social academic and work settings," wrote researchers.
"However, it appears that mood is correlated with cognitive performance, more so than medication use."
"They are far more affected that people taking antidepressants who did not report continuing symptoms of depression," it said.
The 60 participants were asked to complete a variety of driving manoeuvres, including reacting to brake lights or traffic signals while being distracted by cyclists, speed limit signs, animals or other hazards.
The simulation tested the ability to steer, concentrate and scan the road for obstacles.
The study found that of the 31 participants who were taking anti-depressants, those who reported a high level of depressive symptoms, performed significantly worse on several of the tasks.
Test subjects who were taking the medicines but were not depressed performed no worse than non-medicated individuals.
The research, led by pyschologists Holly J. Dannewitz PhD and Thomas Petros PhD, of the University of North Dakota, found that one's mood plays a greater role than medication in affecting the ability to perform complex tasks.
"Individuals taking antidepressants should be aware of the possible cognitive effects as [they] may affect performance in social academic and work settings," wrote researchers.
"However, it appears that mood is correlated with cognitive performance, more so than medication use."
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Hermes_Rios
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Hmmmm.... So the people still sufering syntoms of depression performed poorly; and those with inproved syntoms performed as good as non depressed? Could it be that the syntoms of Depression and not the antidepressants is to blame for the inparement?
- 2 years ago
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Hermes_Rios
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toshiba
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Who would've thought taking mind and mood-altering drugs could impair driving ability?
- 3 years ago
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toshiba
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EddieStarr
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My theory about taking any medications is to do ample research first. There are so many resources available on the Internet that can educate you on the benefits, risks, and possible side effects of medications.
- 3 years ago
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EddieStarr
