Let’s talk about antidepressants

In early adulthood, depression most frequently manifest as a mental health problem. The prevalence is higher in females. However, depression can affect anyone at any age. Drugs like antidepressants that influence the brain could be helpful because depression has an impact on it. Although there are many more possibilities, common antidepressants might help you feel better. Each medication used to treat depression function by bringing the neurotransmitters brain chemicals into balance. To lessen your depression symptoms, these medications operate in slightly different ways.

How antidepressants do functions?

Antidepressants are suppose to function by elevating neurotransmitters. These are brain neurotransmitters, similar to noradrenaline and serotonin. Although the exact mechanism is unclear, they can elevate mood and emotions.

Neurotransmitter concentrations rising can potentially interfere with the nerves’ transmission of pain signals. Additionally, this could be the reason why some antidepressants can aid in the reduction of chronic pain.

Antidepressants help alleviate some of the signs of depression, but they don’t always deal with its root causes. They are typically used in conjunction with therapy because of this. This aids in the treatment of more severe cases of depression or other mental health issues.

Types of antidepressants

There are different types of antidepressants:

Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Uses of antidepressant

There are several medical illnesses for which antidepressants are frequently prescribe, including:

Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Social anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How well do antidepressants work?

People who suffer from moderate to severe depression may find relief from it. They are the best option for symptom relief that occur immediately, especially in cases of severe depression.

Treatment duration and dosage

Typically, antidepressants are taken as tablets. Typically, you must take 1 to 3 tablets every day. The following factors will determine how many tablets you should take:

The type of antidepressant you are taking
The type of antidepressant you are taking

Antidepressants are typically starts at a low dose when prescribe. Speak with your doctor or a mental health professional if you’ve been taking an antidepressant for four weeks but haven’t noticed any benefit. They might advise boosting your dosage or attempting a different medicine. Typically, a course of treatment lasts six months. It may be suggested that some persons with recurrent depression continue taking them continuously.

Antidepressants side effect

Drugs used to treat depression frequently have side effects. The particular alterations you might go through are partially influence by the drug class you’re taking.

Antidepressant side effects frequently include:

Nervousness: agitation, shakiness, nervous feeling
Heart rhythm changes: palpitations, fast heartbeat
Vision changes: blurry vision
Sexual dysfunction: low sex drive
Gastrointestinal symptoms: indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite
Feelings of sickness: headache, dizziness, dry mouth, sweating
Weight changes: unexpected weight loss or weight gain
Sleep changes: insomnia

Wrapping Up

Antidepressant treatment should only be stop after careful thought. Many people may stop safely with the right help, however they can encounter unpleasant side effects. Before discontinuing, one should always consult a doctor and adhere to their recommended course of action. Suicidal thoughts can arise with certain drugs’ withdrawal symptoms. If this occurs, it is crucial to get support right away.