Antidepressants are medications mostly given to individuals suffering from depression. Antidepressants manipulate the chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters. There is no way to scientifically measure neurotransmitters, so there is no guarantee that an antidepressant will work for you. Unfortunately, many people have to try a few antidepressants before finding the ones that alleviate their depressive symptoms with the least side effects.
Suicidal Thoughts
All antidepressants on the market give the warning that the medication could increase suicidal thoughts, according to helpguide.com. Suicidal thoughts are a sign that someone is in a deep depression, and the medication could be the cause if it is a new symptom. Suicidal thoughts are especially likely in the first months of taking the medication, and in children and young adults. Behavior and symptoms should be carefully monitored during the first months of treatment, or when a new medication is prescribed, to ensure that suicide or suicidal thoughts do not occur.
Other Warnings
According to helpguide.com, antidepressants can make someone's condition worse because they can increase anxiety, anger, irritability, agitation, insomnia and/or hyperactivity. In addition, antidepressants can cause someone to act on dangerous impulses and trigger other unusual changes in behavior, according to helpguide.com. If these side effects are present, they most likely will make your mood more depressed. People often get their hopes up about antidepressants, and when they do not work as expected, they fall into deeper depressions.
Common Side Effects
Some people experience other severe side effects from antidepressants that hamper their moods. The key is to find a medication that gives you the least side effects--or none, preferable. Common side effects of antidepressants are drowsiness, sexual problems, nausea, dry mouth, weight gain, nervousness, blurred vision and/or fatigue, according to helpguide.com.
Antidepressant Withdrawal
Always take antidepressant medication exactly as the doctor prescribes. Often, the doctor will increase the dose over time. Missing a dose or taking it at a different time of the day can have a drastic effect on your mood, and the physical reactions are very unpleasant. It is similar to withdrawing from street drugs. Monitoring the amount of pills you have, and keep all doctor's appointments, to make sure you do not run out of your medication.
