Anti Depression Medication
Information
Anti depression medications treat the symptoms of depression.
They do not cure depression. However, people who are diagnosed
with depression and placed on anti depression medications
usually find relief from their depression symptoms. These
medications can help someone get on with their life, especially
if their depression was causing them much mental anguish. Anti
depression mediation is prescribed for major depression, mild
depression and certain anxiety disorders.
People who are given anti depression medication will respond in
different ways. Some people report complete remission of their
depression. Others report only mild relief. If a particular
anti depression medication is not bringing relief to a person,
a doctor may up the dosage or prescribe a different anti
depression medication. This process can continue until the
individual is matched with a medication that works for him or
her. There is no way to know which medication will work for an
individual. It takes patience and experimentation. It is
important that individuals work closely with their doctors
until a suitable anti depression medication is found.
How long an individual will stay on anti depression medication
depends on the individual. Some people can take anti depression
medication for a few months and never need them again. Other
people may have to stay on anti depression medication
indefinitely or they may have take medication intermittently
throughout their lives if the depression reappears. The anti
depression medications that are used indefinitely should have
no long term side effects.
It is important that people understand that it can take between
one and three weeks before anti depression medication kicks in
and starts to work. Improvements in mood and feelings may not
change suddenly, but slowly improve over time. Some symptoms
may subside or lessen very early on in the treatment. Many
people find that their sleeping and eating patterns improve
well before their depression lifts. People who find no relief
in a particular anti depression medication after six weeks are
generally prescribed another medication.
The dosage a person is given is dependent upon the person’s
body weight and body chemistry, age and the type of drug that
is being prescribed. Most doctors will prescribe a low anti
depression dosage and gradually increase the dosage as needed.
Once the desired effects are present the dosage will be
maintained until the medication no longer seems to work or if
the person starts experiencing side effects to the
medication.
There are different types of anti depression medication.
Tricyclic antidepressants were once the most common medication
to use to treat depression. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are
generally prescribed for patients who had depression and
anxiety or phobias. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are
the newest anti depressions medications. Reports state that the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have the least amount
of side effects that tricyclic antidepressant and Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors. However, it should be noted that all of
anti depression medications are different in how they work and
they each have different side effects.
If you think you need anti depression medication, talk with
your doctor about each kind of medication available. Find one
that you think will work the best for you based on the
information you are given. If you start taking a medication,
give it time to work. If the side effects are bothersome, talk
with your doctor. He can let you know if the side effects you
are experiencing are common or if they are something you should
be alarmed about.
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