The Waves: Live. Laugh. Lexapro.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Shannon
Palus is joined by the managing editor of Future Tense, Mia
Armstrong. This week is all about selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs commonly used to treat
depression and anxiety. Shannon and Mia discuss their own
experiences with their mental health and SSRIs. Then they dig into
the cultural narrative around using medication for anxiety and
depression,a recent study disproving an old adage about depression,
and why SSRIs might be overprescribed to women.  Why Has the
Misleading “Chemical Imbalance” Theory of Mental Illness Persisted
for So Long? by Sahanika Ratnayake In Slate Plus, is marrying young
feminist? Recommendations: Shannon: Guided meditations from UCLA
Health.  Mia: Counting backwards from 100 by seven to help
calm down while you’re feeling anxious.    Podcast
production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon
Palus, Alicia Montgomery and Daisy Rosario. Send your comments and
recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more
about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices