People who are diagnosed with depression are commonly prescribed an antidepressant medication to help them manage their symptoms. When used in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy, most people can recover from their depression. This medication is not a cure-all, and they do come with some risks. But even the risks can be negligible when antidepressants are taken under a doctor’s strict supervision. The type of antidepressant that is prescribed to a patient will depend on how severe the patient’s depression is. It has been found that during clinical studies that antidepressants prescribed to patients with severe depression has literally been the best medicine.
How do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants prescribed for depression work by slowing down the absorption of neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals are what help the brain function normally and they are directly involved in influencing a person’s mood, appetite, concentration, sleeping, and pain receptors. The medication restores the chemical balance in the brain and eases the symptoms the patient is suffering from.
By helping restore balance to the chemicals in the brain, antidepressants reduce the feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and the disinterest in life in general. They are also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, eating disorders, and chronic pain. Most of the time, the medication is taken for four to six months, although some doctors may prescribe it for a longer length of time is necessary.
What types of antidepressants are available?
There are three major types of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); tricyclic antidepressants; and other types that do not fall into either category. Each type has their pros and cons, and the side effects will depend on what you have been prescribed. SSRIs act on the neurotransmitters serotonin only. Side effects can include dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, headache, fatigue, and sexual problems. Tricyclics act on the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as other chemicals within the body. They could cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, tiredness, heart rate, and problems with blood pressure. The other antidepressants work differently than SSRIs and tricyclics. These include MAOIs. Nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, nervousness, headache, insomnia, and other symptoms are the side effects a patient could experience. Wellbutrin, another antidepressant classified in the other category is commonly used to help people quit smoking.
What type of antidepressant should I take?
The type of antidepressant that a person takes is based on the doctor’s diagnosis. Some medications that you are taking could interact with one of the types of antidepressants, including over the counter drugs and herbal supplements. This is taken into account when your doctor discusses options with you.
If you are having other problems, such as headaches, eating disorders, and quitting smoking, the doctor may prescribe an antidepressant that will help you with these medical issues as well as your depression. What you tell your doctor about symptoms and other maladies will help him or her decide what is right. Of course, if you have problems with the medication, the doctor may have you try another one. They are all effective, but they will work differently for everyone.
By: Vanessa Evans
Related Post:
tricyclic antidepressant cons pros chronic pain
People who are diagnosed with depression are commonly prescribed an antidepressant medication to help them manage their symptoms. When used in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy, most people can recover from their depression. This medication is not a cure-all, and they do come with some risks. But even the risks can be negligible when antidepressants are taken under a doctor’s strict supervision. The type of antidepressant that is prescribed to a patient will depend on how severe the patient’s depression is. It has been found that during clinical studies that antidepressants prescribed to patients with severe depression has literally been the best medicine.
How do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants prescribed for depression work by slowing down the absorption of neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals are what help the brain function normally and they are directly involved in influencing a person’s mood, appetite, concentration, sleeping, and pain receptors. The medication restores the chemical balance in the brain and eases the symptoms the patient is suffering from.
By helping restore balance to the chemicals in the brain, antidepressants reduce the feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and the disinterest in life in general. They are also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, eating disorders, and chronic pain. Most of the time, the medication is taken for four to six months, although some doctors may prescribe it for a longer length of time is necessary.
What types of antidepressants are available?
There are three major types of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); tricyclic antidepressants; and other types that do not fall into either category. Each type has their pros and cons, and the side effects will depend on what you have been prescribed. SSRIs act on the neurotransmitters serotonin only. Side effects can include dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, headache, fatigue, and sexual problems. Tricyclics act on the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as other chemicals within the body. They could cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, tiredness, heart rate, and problems with blood pressure. The other antidepressants work differently than SSRIs and tricyclics. These include MAOIs. Nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, nervousness, headache, insomnia, and other symptoms are the side effects a patient could experience. Wellbutrin, another antidepressant classified in the other category is commonly used to help people quit smoking.
What type of antidepressant should I take?
The type of antidepressant that a person takes is based on the doctor’s diagnosis. Some medications that you are taking could interact with one of the types of antidepressants, including over the counter drugs and herbal supplements. This is taken into account when your doctor discusses options with you.
If you are having other problems, such as headaches, eating disorders, and quitting smoking, the doctor may prescribe an antidepressant that will help you with these medical issues as well as your depression. What you tell your doctor about symptoms and other maladies will help him or her decide what is right. Of course, if you have problems with the medication, the doctor may have you try another one. They are all effective, but they will work differently for everyone.
By: Vanessa Evans
Related Post:
tricyclic antidepressant cons pros chronic pain
People who are diagnosed with depression are commonly prescribed an antidepressant medication to help them manage their symptoms. When used in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy, most people can recover from their depression. This medication is not a cure-all, and they do come with some risks. But even the risks can be negligible when antidepressants are taken under a doctor’s strict supervision. The type of antidepressant that is prescribed to a patient will depend on how severe the patient’s depression is. It has been found that during clinical studies that antidepressants prescribed to patients with severe depression has literally been the best medicine.
How do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants prescribed for depression work by slowing down the absorption of neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals are what help the brain function normally and they are directly involved in influencing a person’s mood, appetite, concentration, sleeping, and pain receptors. The medication restores the chemical balance in the brain and eases the symptoms the patient is suffering from.
By helping restore balance to the chemicals in the brain, antidepressants reduce the feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and the disinterest in life in general. They are also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, eating disorders, and chronic pain. Most of the time, the medication is taken for four to six months, although some doctors may prescribe it for a longer length of time is necessary.
What types of antidepressants are available?
There are three major types of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); tricyclic antidepressants; and other types that do not fall into either category. Each type has their pros and cons, and the side effects will depend on what you have been prescribed. SSRIs act on the neurotransmitters serotonin only. Side effects can include dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, headache, fatigue, and sexual problems. Tricyclics act on the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as other chemicals within the body. They could cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, tiredness, heart rate, and problems with blood pressure. The other antidepressants work differently than SSRIs and tricyclics. These include MAOIs. Nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, nervousness, headache, insomnia, and other symptoms are the side effects a patient could experience. Wellbutrin, another antidepressant classified in the other category is commonly used to help people quit smoking.
What type of antidepressant should I take?
The type of antidepressant that a person takes is based on the doctor’s diagnosis. Some medications that you are taking could interact with one of the types of antidepressants, including over the counter drugs and herbal supplements. This is taken into account when your doctor discusses options with you.
If you are having other problems, such as headaches, eating disorders, and quitting smoking, the doctor may prescribe an antidepressant that will help you with these medical issues as well as your depression. What you tell your doctor about symptoms and other maladies will help him or her decide what is right. Of course, if you have problems with the medication, the doctor may have you try another one. They are all effective, but they will work differently for everyone.
By: Vanessa Evans
Related Post:
tricyclic antidepressant cons pros chronic pain
Posted in