subject: Depression Medication [print this page] Depression Medication Depression Medication
Depression
Depression is a psychological disorder and can be characterized by prolonged feelings or lowness,, sadness. helplessness. hopelessness and other negative feelings. It is very serious illness and must be treated in time. Different Forms of depression include Major Depression Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Major depression disorder and Dysthymic disorder are most commonly occurring forms of depression.
Symptoms
An affected person may not show all the symptoms. Factors like severity, occurrence and duration varies from one patient to another. Most common signs of depression are frequent feelings of sadness anxiety and emptiness. The person develops negative attitude towards the things around him that accentuate his depression. They become irritable, restless, uninterested, tiresome and weak. they find it difficult to concentrate, take decisions or recall events that happened in past. In sever cases the person may get thoughts of committing suicide or even attempt the same
Causes and Consequences
There are no known causes however it is believed to be caused to due to one or more of factors like inheritance from parents, biochemical factors, environmental factors and psychological factors. Most common factors are trauma, stress and difficulty in managing relationships or works or an event like loss of loved one, assassination, terrorism, accidents or some violent or emotional event for the patient. Women are more likely to be affected due to biological, hormonal and psychological factors unique to them. Depression could be a consequence or a trigger for other diseases like hypertension, low blood pressure, strokes, cancer, cardiac dysfunction, headaches or migraines.
Treatment and Medication
Depression, however severe, is curable. Visit a doctor as soon as possible. Doctor will start the treatment with tests, physical examination and a mental health evaluation diagnosis. Patient should always discuss their previous medical or psychological history if any along with events.
A doctor may prescribe antidepressants to normalize brain chemicals like neurotransmitters, adrenaline, serotonin, norpinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals regulate mood and behavior of the person. Commonly prescribed medicine are selective serotin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotine and norpinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI) and mono amine oxidase. The type of antidepressant that would be best to cure can only be suggested after diagnosing the severity, frequency and duration of the mood swings or depression attacks. Hence make sure that you only take drugs prescribed by a certified medical practitioner. Do not discontinue the medication even after you feel that you are better as it is known to reappear.
Another form of treatment that may be used is conjunction with medication is psychotherapy, It involves behavioral, lifestyle and dietary modifications. Elector-convulsive therapy is also used in some cases.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Antidepressants may cause a short term and temporary side effects that your doctor may ask you you live with or change dosage or medicines prescribed on the basis of how your body reacts to a particular drug. Hence report the side effects if any to your doctor. The usual side effects include headaches, nausea, insomnia, nervousness, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, not able to have orgasm, dry mouth, frequent thirst or urination, constipation, blurred vision and drowsiness.
