Antidepressants: Medications for Depression

Antidepressants may be useful in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, but the "prescription medicine" is not a cure for everyone. Antidepressants are not always relieve symptoms, and they also come with side effects and safety of their own concerns. If you decide whether antidepressant medication is for you, it is important to weigh the benefits and risks and consider treatment options. Learn all the facts can help you make a personal decision and on the best way to treat your depression. EmailPrintIn this article: How antidepressants? Guidelines for use Effectiveness of drugs types of antidepressants Suicide alert treatment alternatives Withdrawal of references and resources antidepressants The decision to take medication If you suffer from depression, the idea of a "happy pill" that will cure the symptoms may appear very attractive. But while there are a variety of drugs for the treatment of depression, antidepressants are not miracle cures. Many people only partially responded to antidepressants. Others are unable to tolerate the side effects. Drug treatment of depression can be beneficial, but there are other effective treatment approaches that can be taken in addition to or instead of medicines. It's up to you to evaluate your options and decide what is best for you. This information is not intended to substitute for medical advice, but it can help you make an informed decision about whether antidepressant medication is for you. How antidepressants? People who suffer from depression are suspected of having lower levels of some of these chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters. The three neurotransmitters believed to be involved in depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Neurons in the brain stops producing, distributing, and eliminate these chemicals in the brain. Antidepressants increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain by blocking their reabsorption. Watch the video-How they antidepressants help relieve depression for an illustration of how this works. Although this led to the popular belief that depression is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be corrected with drugs, the reality is more complex. It is not yet clear whether low levels of neurotransmitters cause depression, depression, or whether the causes of this imbalance in the chemistry of the brain. For more details, read The causes of depression and the brain and depression. How effective medication for depression? While antidepressants provide relief for some, they are not a miracle cure for depression. Antidepressants reduce symptoms in about 70% of people. That leaves nearly 1 in 3 people who fail to obtain redress. Even those who respond to drugs, complete remission is rare. More commonly, symptoms are reduced, but not cured. This is important because, as Psychology Today notes, unless a remission is achieved, depression is very unlikely to recur. Placebo Effect, Some of the people that improving the experience of antidepressants can be attributed to the placebo effect. In fact, recent research suggests that antidepressants do not work much better than sugar pills. For more information, see Placebo Power and antidepressants: A Triumph Over Marketing of science? . Medication therapy While antidepressants may improve mood by stimulating the "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, they do not treat the actual cause of depression. For this reason, the rate of relapse are high after drug treatment is stopped. However, the ideas and emotional skills acquired in the course of treatment may have a more lasting effect on depression. A study by the University of Pennsylvania supports this claim. It found that cognitive therapy works as well as antidepressants and is more effective than drugs in the prevention of relapse after treatment ends. In a moderate to severe depression, medication can be helpful in the short term, but it should be accompanied by a therapy to address underlying issues. Sometimes, the heaviness of depression is used to mask the painful emotions, which can then come to the surface when drugs are taken. The result can be an unexpected sadness-yet another reason that psychotherapy is so important when using antidepressants. Antidepressants can make depression worse? There is a risk that antidepressant treatment will lead to an increase rather than a decrease in depression. In fact, all depression medicines are required by the FDA to carry a warning about the increased risk of suicide, hostility, and agitation. The FDA recommends that all individuals on antidepressants be closely monitored for increases in suicidal thoughts and behavior. Monitoring is especially important if this is the first time that the person on depression, or if the dose was recently amended. If the depression appears to be worsening, an evaluation by a mental health professional should be provided as soon as possible. New problems with anxiety, insomnia, aggressiveness, irritability, impulsivity, and restlessness, especially if the symptoms are severe or-then suddenly appeared as red flags, and should be evaluated immediately . FDA Suicide alert In May 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended a new warning label on all antidepressants. The current "black box" includes a warning about the increased risk of thought and suicidal behavior among children and adolescents. The FDA wants to extend this warning to include young adults from age 18 to 24. Children and young adults should also be monitored for the onset of agitation, irritability and unusual changes in behavior, as these symptoms may indicate that the crisis worsens. The risk of suicide is particularly important during the first two months of treatment. If you are concerned that a friend or a family member is contemplating suicide, read Helpguide's Understanding and Helping a Suicidal person. What happens if you stop taking antidepressants? If you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant medication, there may be a number of unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, lethargy, and headache. This is called syndrome Antidepressant dissolution. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is particularly common when you stop taking Paxil or Zoloft. However, all medicines for depression can cause withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms Emotional Symptoms: Agitation Crying spells Irritability Anxiety Impulsif aggression and behavior Depersonalization Memory Problems Confusion Abaissé mood Flu-like symptoms: Fatigue Headache Muscle Pain Weakness Transpiration Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting Abdominal pain or cramping Loss of appetite Diarrhea Sleep disorders: Sleeplessness Cauchemars Vivid dreams Balance: Dizziness Slight Vertigo Maladresse Sensory Disorders: Numbness Blurred Vision Tingling Sensation Electrocution sensations Movement: Wobbles Muscle movements and jerks Muscle Stiffness Loss of Coordination Inability to sit Depression and anxiety are symptoms common to withdraw when antidepressants. When depression is a symptom of withdrawal, it is often more severe than the original version which led to the depression drug treatment. Unfortunately, many people mistake this withdrawal symptom of a return of their depression and resume drugs, creating a vicious circle. To avoid withdrawal symptoms antidepressant, never stop your medication "cold turkey." Instead, gradually taper your dose, which allows at least 1-2 weeks between each dose reduction. S'effilant This process may take up to several months, and should be monitored under medical supervision. For instructions on the withdrawal of antidepressants, read dependence on SSRI antidepressants & Halting. To learn more about the syndrome stopping antidepressants, see Getting Off Antidepressants: Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome and Hooked on Antidepressants. How do I determine if antidepressants are for me? If you are thinking of antidepressants as a treatment option, here are some questions to help you make your decision: The questions to be answered and a mental health professional My depression is serious enough to warrant the drug treatment? Medication is the best option for the treatment of my depression? I am willing to tolerate the side effects? What non-drug treatments could help my depression? Do I have the time and motivation to pursue other treatments such as psychotherapy and exercise? What self-help strategies that could help reduce my depression? If I decide to take medication, psychotherapy should I pursue this? The questions to ask your doctor Are there any medical conditions that could be the cause of my depression? What are the side effects and risks of antidepressants you recommend? Are there any foods or other substances, I avoid? How this medication interact with my other prescriptions? How long should I take it? Va withdraw from the drug is difficult? Depression Is my back when I stop taking medication? For more advice on how to talk with your doctor and pharmacist, see How Let's talk about your medication. What guidelines should I follow if I decide to take antidepressants? If you decide that your depression with medication is the right option, you may need to see a doctor. The first guideline is to consult a psychiatrist rather than your family doctor. Although any doctor can prescribe drugs, psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental health. They are more likely to become familiar with the latest research on antidepressants and to know the specific safety concerns. Your health and well-being depend on the expertise of your doctor, it is important to choose a doctor who is the most qualified. To learn more, read For depression, the family doctor may be the first choice, but not the best. You must also inform you about your medication. Make sure you know about its side effects and in particular warnings. For more information on minimizing the risks of prescription drug treatment, visit 10 Rules for Safer Drug Use. Print Worksheet included drug and bring it to your doctor. Your doctor can complete instructions on how and when to take the drug, what side effects to look out for, and possible food and drug interactions. You can also use the worksheet to keep track of how you have responded to the antidepressant. Here are some guidelines: Be patient-Finding the right medication and dosage is a process of trial and error. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for antidepressants to reach their full therapeutic effect. Many people try several drugs before finding the one that works for them. - Follow the instructions do not forget to take your antidepressant according to the doctor. Do not skip or change your dose, and not to stop taking your pills as soon as you start to feel better. Prématurément discontinuation of therapy is associated with higher rates of relapse. Watch for side effects-Keep track of all the physical and emotional changes that you meet and talk to a doctor about them. Contact your doctor or therapist immediately if your depression worsens or you encounter an increase in suicidal thoughts, Go to therapy drugs can reduce the symptoms of depression, but it does not address the underlying problems. Psychotherapy can help you to the root of your problems, changing patterns of negative thinking, and learn new ways of coping.
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