Is Depression Medication Right For Me

Medications For Depression: Which Is Best

Medications for Anxiety and Depression- Pharmacology – Nervous System – @Level Up RN

There are many medications that can be used to treat mood disorders. But finding the right one can be a lengthy process, and the choice can be more complicated than you might imagine. Just because a particular drug worked for a friend doesn’t mean it will work for you. Psychiatrists and doctors who prescribe antidepressants choose a particular drug and dosage based on many factors, including the following:

To learn more strategies for battling depression, check out Understanding Depression, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Image: Getty Images/eternalcreative

Antidepressants Wont Make You A Zombie

Again, the goal is to help you enjoy your life, not to numb you. If somebody feels in a daze or zombielike, that can mean the medication is too high, and we need to lower the dose, Dr. Cox says.

But sometimes people actually feel dazed or foggy because of high levels of anxiety or depression, she says, and taking medication helps them feel more clearheaded.

What Side Effects Do Antidepressants Have

Like all medicines, antidepressants may have side effects. For most people, the side effects are not bad enough that they need to stop taking the medication.

Different people may experience different side effects, so itâs important to talk to your doctor about your personal situation. Some people experience no side effects at all.

Side effects differ between antidepressants. Some side effects may include:

For more information, see Beyond Blue and SANE Australia.

If you experience a side effect from an antidepressant, itâs important to let your doctor know. It may be possible to reduce side effects by changing the dose or the time of day the medicine is taken. Some people may need to switch to another antidepressant due to side effects.

Many antidepressants can interact with other medicines. Anybody taking antidepressants needs to make sure their doctor and pharmacist know what other medicines they are taking, including any complementary or alternative therapies.

There are links between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts and behaviours in young people. But sometimes the need for antidepressants outweighs the risk of taking the medicines. The decision to prescribe antidepressants for young people is one that should be taken with great care.

Don’t Miss: How Many Depressed In Us

When Will Depression Medication Make Me Feel Better

While many people find that antidepressants work well to help reduce the symptoms of depression, you might not feel better right away. It usually takes at least three to four weeks before you notice a change in your mood. Sometimes it can take even longer. Taking the medicine every day as directed helps increase the chance that it works.

âYou definitely have to be a little patient for the medicine to work,â says Lisa Brennan, who started taking medication for her depression several years ago. âFor me, the change was very subtle at first, and then I realized that I really was feeling better. But it takes a few weeks, so itâs important to hang in there.â

How To Know Which Antidepressant Is Best For You

Side Effects Aren’t Always Bad

The quest to find the right antidepressant medication can feel very “hit or miss.” While it might seem a bit random how doctors choose which antidepressant to prescribe for you, there really is some logic to it.

In fact, there are even flow charts, called algorithms, which outline a logical progression that doctors might follow in determining what the best antidepressant is for you. These algorithms are based on the current knowledge in the medical field about which type of antidepressant works best for which patient.

Still, there is no telling what you may or may not respond to. In fact, many people don’t respond to their first antidepressant, or they experience undesirable side effects, so they have to try a second, third, or fourth option before finding what works best for them.

Up to 80% of people do eventually respond to depression treatment, so there is every reason to have hope that you will land on the right one for you.

You May Like: How To Deal With A Depressed Person

How Is Depression Diagnosed

If your mood has been low for a while and you are having difficulty coping with day to day activities, talk to your doctor or a trusted professional. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medical history and may ask you to complete a questionnaire that may help to diagnose depression or refer you to a psychiatrist.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or have an online chat . All information is confidential and free.

Antidepressants Take Four To Six Weeks To Reach Full Effectiveness

When you start taking an antidepressant, you probably wont feel better right away. It takes about a month and a half for the medication to build up in your body, and your doctor will increase your dose gradually, Dr. Cox says.

People sometimes get discouraged when their medication doesnt work quickly, but patience is key, she adds.

For fast-acting anxiety relief, doctors may prescribe as-needed medications that work more quickly to be used temporarily until the SSRI, SNRI or atypical antidepressant reaches full effect. These medications include benzodiazepines, such as Ativan and Klonopin.

These can be helpful when appropriate, but caution should be exercised as they can be addictive and cause sedation and falls, Dr. Cox says. Safer, nonaddictive alternatives include Vistaril or Inderal.

Alternative Treatments For Depression And Anxiety

Some people get better with psychological therapy alone. Others find it best to use a combination of antidepressants and psychological therapy.

There are many different psychological therapies. The most common is cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy aims to identify and change your negative thoughts.

Other types of therapy aim to get you to accept your thoughts and environment in a non-judgemental way, or help you change patterns of behaviour that are not helpful.

Talk to your doctor about options for treatment. You might be eligible for a mental health care plan, which reduces the cost of treatment.

There are other things that help your anxiety and depression.

Exercise can help improve your mood and self-esteem as well as reducing the risk of weight gain .
If you smoke, quitting reduces depression, anxiety and stress, and improves mood.

You Show Symptoms Of Serotonin Syndrome

Top 5 Medications for Depression | Is One Better for You?

Although antidepressants are meant to help you feel better, in some cases an antidepressant may combine with other medications you are taking or foods you are eating and lead to serotonin syndrome, an uncommon condition involving an overabundance of serotonin in the body, the Cleveland Clinic states.

Symptoms to watch out for, Lim says, include fever, aches, shakes, sweats, fatigue, irritability, a bad headache, confusion, agitation, restlessness, dizziness, difficulty seeing or walking, muscle twitching, muscle tension, or jaw clenching.

Typically, serotonin syndrome happens within days or weeks of starting an antidepressant or after a dose increase, says Lim. The most common factors that affect your risk of serotonin syndrome, per the Cleveland Clinic, are:

Too much of one medication that affects your serotonin levels
Multiple medications that affect your serotonin levels at the same time

Your Mood Has Improved But Youre Still Not Yourself

If you experience some relief on an antidepressant, but its not the relief you hoped for, it may be time to try something new, Dr. Thomas says. Options include another depression medication or the addition of counseling, psychotherapy, mood-boosting cardio exercise, or light therapy to your treatment regimen. The combination of medication and other mood-brightening treatments can speed your recovery and reduce your overall time on antidepressants, she says.

How Your Depression Medicine Can Affect Your Life

If youâre being treated for depression, taking an antidepressant may be part of your treatment plan. Antidepressants work by balancing chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters that affect mood and emotions. These depression medicines can help improve your mood, help you sleep better, and increase your appetite and concentration.

âAntidepressants can help jump-start mood and give people the boost they need to get over the symptoms of their depression,â says Eric Endlich, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in Boston. âThis often allows them to start doing the things they enjoy again and make better choices for themselves, which also helps contribute to a more positive mood.â

If youâre taking an antidepressant, itâs important to know what to expect and how it will affect your life. Here are the answers to five common questions about taking antidepressants.

Your Antidepressant Doesnt Pack The Same Punch

If youve been on an antidepressant for a long time, your body may develop a tolerance, notes Hullett. As a result, a medication that once worked well at quelling your sadness, anxiety, and other symptom no longer has that power. Sometimes, Hullett says, increasing the dose under supervision by your doctor may help. If youve been taking 10 milligrams of Prozac , for example, your physician may increase the dose to 20 mg, he says. In other cases, trying a different medication or treatment is helpful.

What Are The Side Effects Of Antidepressants

Like all medications, antidepressants can have side effects. Over half of all people who take antidepressants have side effects. They usually occur during the first few weeks of treatment and are less common later on.

Some of these side effects are believed to be a direct consequence of the medication’s effect on the brain and are relatively similar among various drugs within the same group. Examples include a dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, restlessness and sexual problems. These kinds of problems are often perceived to be side effects of the medications. But some of them may be caused by the itself.

Whether or not someone has side effects, which side effects they have, and how frequent they are will depend on the drug, the dose used, and whether they have just started taking it or have been taking it for some time. And everyone reacts slightly differently to drugs too. The risk of side effects increases if you are also taking other medication. One of the drugs may make the side effects of the other worse. These kinds of drug interactions are common in older people and people with chronic illnesses who are taking several different kinds of medication.

For this reason, it’s important to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of the various medications with your doctor.

Some side effects are more common with particular drugs:

You May Like: Do You Sleep A Lot When Your Depressed

Antidepressants For Children And Teens

In some cases, the use of antidepressants has been linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. The Food and Drug Administration now requires antidepressants to carry a warning about the risk of suicide in children, teens, and young adults 24 years of age or younger. However, this doesnt mean that people in this age group shouldnt take antidepressants. It means they should be carefully monitored by their doctor and loved ones while taking the antidepressant.

Many doctors will want to see a child or teen sometime in the first few weeks after starting an antidepressant to assess any risk for suicide. If youre worried your child may be suicidal, call your doctor right away or take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Side Effects Aren’t Always Bad

Believe it or not, side effects are not necessarily a bad thing. A drug like Prozac that suppresses appetite may not be desirable for someone who has an eating disorder or is too thin but may be helpful for someone who has diabetes or is overweight.

Along those same lines, a drug that increases appetite, such as Paxil or Remeron , could benefit someone who is underweight while potentially causing issues for someone who is overweight. The same applies to antidepressants that are stimulating and those that are sedating.

An antidepressant that tends to be stimulating such as Wellbutrin may be helpful for someone with a vegetative depression or someone who seems to have no energybut could be the wrong choice for someone living with an anxiety disorder in addition to depression.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Medicine For Depression

Key Points How To Decide Whether To Take Antidepressants

Depression is more than everyday sadness. If youve been feeling down most of the time for more than two weeks, you might be depressed.

Antidepressants are controversial but they work. Despite what you might have heard, the research evidence for the effectiveness of antidepressants is very strong.

. If youre dealing with a lot of stress, its worth considering whether your priority should be to seek practical support.

Consider talking therapy first if your depression is mild to moderate. The challenge is finding an available, suitable therapist who is trained in CBT or a similar approach.

Try antidepressants if therapy didnt help or your depression is moderate to severe. The more serious your depression , the more likely that antidepressants will help.

Familiarise yourself with the antidepressants that are available. The options available vary in their reported effectiveness and likelihood of provoking side-effects.

Understand the possible side-effects. Most side-effects are rare. Common ones, such as nausea, are usually mild and soon pass.

Antidepressants do not interfere with therapy. Far from it theres evidence that therapy and pills both work more effectively in combination.

Dont expect an instant benefit. The full beneficial effects usually take a few weeks or months to manifest.

Dont rush to stop taking the pills. Relapse is a risk, as are withdrawal symptoms. If youve been on the drugs for months or years, reduce your dose slowly.

Depression: How Effective Are Antidepressants

How to Tell If You Need Depression Medication

Like psychotherapy, antidepressants are a key part of treating . They aim to relieve symptoms and prevent depression from coming back.

Opinions vary on how effective antidepressants are in relieving the symptoms of . Some people doubt that they work well, while others consider them to be essential. But, like with many other treatments, these medications may help in some situations and not in others. They are effective in moderate, severe and chronic depression, but probably not in mild cases. They can also have side effects. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of antidepressants with your doctor.

The main aim of treatment with antidepressants is to relieve the symptoms of severe , such as feeling very down and exhausted, and prevent them from coming back. They are meant to make you feel emotionally stable again and help you to follow a normal daily routine. They are also taken to relieve symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety and sleep problems, and to prevent suicidal thoughts.

This information is about using medication to treat the most common form of , known as unipolar depression. The treatment options for manic depression aren’t discussed here.

Other Factors To Consider When Choosing The Right Depression Medication

Unfortunately, drug classes and their side effects arent the only things to consider when youre choosing an antidepressant to treat your depression. Youll need to ask yourself:

What medications am I already taking?
Am I pregnant, or do I want to become pregnant ?
Do I have any underlying health conditions?
How will this affect me and my health in the long-term?
Do I have health insurance to cover the costs associated with seeing a doctor and taking medication?
Do I actually want to take medication?

Serotonin And Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

SNRIs are prescribed to treat depression and some of the conditions that can accompany it, such as chronic pain, anxiety, and eating disorders. An SNRIs inhibits the absorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine, a chemical in the brain that helps regulate sleep, emotions, and increases productivity.

Types of SNRIs include duloxetine , venlafaxine , desvenlafaxine and levomilnacipran . A majority of people find their condition will improve while taking SNRIs. An SNRI may be prescribed to improve your quality of life if you have already taken an SSRI and still need assistance managing symptoms, or if you have a co-occurring condition .

You May Like: How Does Anxiety Cause Depression

You Dont Necessarily Have To Stop Taking Your Antidepressant If Youre Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

Some antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, are considered safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Women and their doctors must make a risk-benefit calculation, Dr. Cox says. While its best to be on the fewest medications possible during pregnancy, the risk of untreated symptoms of depression and anxiety may be greater than any risk from medication.

When moderate to severe, untreated symptoms can pose risk of serious harm to the mother and baby, Dr. Cox says. These symptoms deserve to be treated just like any other health condition that arises during a pregnancy.

What Antidepressants Are Available

There are various medications for the treatment of . They can be split up into different groups. This article is mainly about the most commonly used antidepressants:

Tricyclic antidepressants
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors

Tricyclic antidepressants have been on the market the longest. They are considered to be first-generation antidepressants. SSRIs and SNRIs are second-generation antidepressants.

The following are prescribed less often:

Adrenergic alpha-2 receptor antagonists
Selective noradrenaline/dopamine re-uptake inhibitors
Melatonin receptor agonists and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor antagonists

There are also medications that don’t belong to any group, as well as herbal products such as St. John’s wort.

Types Of Antidepressant Medications

There are several classes of antidepressants within each class there are many individual medications. While all antidepressants work well overall, no drug or type of drug works equally well for everyone who takes it. You may be advised to try more than one type of antidepressant or to use a combination of antidepressants to seek relief from your distress.

The different types of antidepressants are listed in the order in which they are most commonly prescribed. Medications are referred to in two ways: by their generic name and by their brand or trade names. Brand names available in Canada appear in brackets.

SSRIs

This group of drugs, including fluoxetine , paroxetine , fluvoxamine , citalopram , escitalopram and sertraline , is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. These medications are known to have milder side-effects than some other antidepressants. Buspirone is similar to SSRIs and has been found to help with anxiety but not depression.

Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain, dry mouth, headaches, anxiety, sedation and a decrease in sexual desire and response. This group of drugs may also cause a jittery or restless feeling and sleep difficulties, such as problems falling asleep, waking in the night, vivid dreams or nightmares.