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David Mrazek, M.D.
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David Mrazek, M.D.
David Mrazek, M.D.
Dr. David A. Mrazek is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and a professor of psychiatry at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mrazek has developed a federally funded psychiatric pharmacogenomics research program and implemented clinical psychiatric pharmacogenomics services at Mayo Clinic.
He has received numerous awards including the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists and the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Mrazek has focused his current efforts on using pharmacogenomics testing to improve clinical care. One of his specific goals is to decrease the risks of taking psychiatric medications.
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Depression blog
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Dec. 3, 2009
Alcohol and depression: What are the risks?
By David Mrazek, M.D.
We've all heard that doing things "in moderation" is acceptable.
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- Potentially dangerous interactions with medications. Not just psychiatric medications and not just prescription medications, remember over-the-counter medications, too!
- Alcohol itself is a depressant and can make depression (and anxiety) worse.
- Alcohol affects one's judgment and decreases inhibitions.
- Alcohol has a negative impact on the quality of sleep overall.
- Alcohol can worsen other health problems.
Have a discussion with your health care provider regarding alcohol and depression. Certainly if you have a history of alcohol abuse, dependence, and/or have had treatment for alcohol or other drugs, please be honest with your provider. Your provider will be able to best help you when they have all the facts.
32 comments posted
December 9, 2009 3:24 p.m.
a family person is 40, mother of three youngsters,very comfortable living...suffers from depression and is self-medicated and prescription meds as well. Doesn't need to see physch doc anymore!! Alcohol is now a bigger problem---wine and beer initially and now gin and vodka. How do we get her committed as she claims "she does not have a problem".
- tim
December 9, 2009 11:54 a.m.
I need at least 28 units per week but dont ask me to stop drinking as I have nothing else in my life as I live alone. I have no real social life and no friends now. My best friend of 40 years has died from cancer 3 weeks ago. I don't smoke. I know its not good for me but give me an alternative to do in the evening re unwinding. Please dont suggest exercise I do that already. I guess if my doctor said to give up its threating my health. I guess I would have a go Rita
- Rita
December 9, 2009 11:35 a.m.
I am battling depression and am living with an alcoholic. He refuses to seek help and has already gotten physical with me a couple times. I am disabled and he is supposed to be helping with my care. I have given him ultimatums to quit or I will leave. He has promised for 8 months that he will quit but always goes and gets another bottle. One after another. I try to let him know that we cannot afford it with the traveling we do. I love this man but I cannot stand by and wait to find out when he will turn back to the bottle and get physical again. I begged him to get help because I don't want to leave him. I finally told his family that he is drinking because he would lie to them and say he wasn't. They have not offered any suggestions what I could do to help him. This is not helping my health or my depression any. I am recovering from GBS and the stress is harmful to me.
- Sharon
December 8, 2009 8:52 p.m.
I think I was born with anxiety, but when I found booze eased my anxiety, I erred in not realizing it really left me with a clinical depression. The most I ever drink now is an occasional 3 oz. of wine before dinner. CHOWDER: Please help a member of my family. WHAT ANTI-DEPRESSANT WERE YOU ON THAT MADE SUCH A BAD COMBO WITH ALCOHOL! We have some one who is in trouble and wonder if she is repeating your experience. Thanks so much in advance!
- ginnia
December 7, 2009 5:02 p.m.
I've had depression for some time and drank wine or beer almost daily. I felt better, I didn't feel any worse. My depression didn't go away of course but I did put on some massive weight! One thing for sure is that I had a VERY BAD experience with alcohol and an anxiety medication even though they were taken hours apart!!! I will be more careful!!!
- chowder
December 6, 2009 2:13 p.m.
I do not drink wine to alter my depression. I enjoy having a glass of red wine with dinner every evening after work and do not feel it depresses me any further than the depression I have always had.
- alexis
December 4, 2009 12:32 p.m.
I don't drink much, but: The other day, I was just SO stressed out from "bad thoughts" that I had to do SOMETHING to unwind myself. I will try to avoid drinking in the future.
- Tom
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