Lately, I’ve been so busy that I’ve considered switching over to two-in-one shampoo and conditioner to save time. That tension headache has reappeared at the bridge of my nose, and my eyelid is doing that vibrating thing that makes me look slightly deranged. It’s definitely the end of the quarter, and — as usual — I took on far more than I could handle.

Interestingly, this is a common problem for women, and it has caused many to turn to antidepressants. In fact, antidepressants are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., and females are more likely to use them than males.

There are theories as to why this is true. Some hypothesize it is because women are more likely to ask for help — the same way we are more likely to ask for directions. Others think it is because of hormones, though that sounds so old-fashioned I cringe even to type it. Anyway, note how I say theories.

I wonder, though, are we over-drugged and under-treated? Are we just using anti-depressants as a Band-Aid for all the problems in our lives that we don’t want to face? The thought of an antidepressant is a nice one. Pop a happy pill and make your problems disappear, but anyone who has actually been on one realizes it doesn’t work that way.

Let’s take a serotonin reuptake inhibitor or, as you commonly know it, Prozac. Here’s what it does. In short (and I mean really short because otherwise I’d be writing a book on it), drugs like Prozac leave serotonin in your brain longer. Since low serotonin levels have been associated with depression, anxiety, apathy, fear and low self-esteem, more of it should leave you in a better mood. Here’s the catch: If you’re not actually depressed, it shouldn’t do anything because you already have enough serotonin.

Also, there are side effects. Most serotonin reuptake inhibitors are associated with a 30 percent chance of weight gain. They can also cause dizziness, dry mouth and sexual dysfunction. That’s right, by popping a pill you might be saying good-bye to orgasms. If that doesn’t cause depression, I don’t know what does. I’m kidding — sort of. 

I’m not pulling a Tom Cruise here. If antidepressants help you, then by all means, take them. But if you are considering taking them for the sake of reducing stress, maybe try a non-drug solution first. I fully support antidepressants when used correctly. But with their increasing prevalence, I wonder if women are using them as a way to subdue emotion and to get more done.

The modern woman has far more demands on her time than her mother did. She works, runs the house, raises children and pretty much attempts to save the world on any given day. This need to be as strong as men has transformed us into robots — we’re so busy accomplishing, it’s a wonder we have time to breathe. Which is where antidepressants seem like a legal magical little sanity-saver.

I think that works to a certain extent, unless you are the kind of overachiever who uses her newfound calm to try to get more done. It’s a vicious cycle because then the stress returns stronger than ever.

Whatever happened to asking for help from other people? Specifically from your significant other, if the additional stress is coming from household duties. Most guys I’ve talked to say they’re willing to cook or clean; it’s just that their girlfriends won’t let them.

I understand that many women fear that by expressing what they need they will seem hyperemotional, something that nobody wants to be branded as. But there is a different between reasonably asking for help and flipping out over the most inane things.

We need to stop expecting ourselves to do everything all the time. Delegating responsibility it not a sign of weakness. It can be hard to leave others in charge, but it certainly won’t lead to the end of the world. Besides, who really enjoys cleaning that much?