Depression medications reduce the symptoms of depression disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder and dsythmia. Medications have been shown at times to be equally effective as psychotherapy and their use is generally recommended in combination with therapeutic interventions, according to HelpGuide.org.
Basics
Antidepressant medications can be effective at reducing or relieving depression symptoms. Depression medications generally work by affecting the levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. Generally, a particular depression medication increases the level of one or two of these chemicals in the patient's brain.
Types
According to the MayoClinic.com, the most commonly and often first prescribed medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Other types of antidepressants include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs or norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or NDRI's, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
When using antidepressant medications to treat depression it is important to take into consideration the length of time it will take before the medication becomes therapeutically effective. Depression medications generally eight weeks or longer before they demonstrate their full effectiveness, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The effectiveness of depression medications are determined based on the individual's results. Depression medications can affect people differently. According to HelpGuide.org, a government study in 2006 found that depression medications were less than 50 percent effective at getting rid of symptoms.
Complications
SSRIs are known to be the safest antidepressant medication, but it can have side effects that include insomnia, nausea, restlessness, anxiety, decreased sex drive, fatigue, headaches, changes in bowel movements, tremors, and changes in weight, according HelpGuide.org.
Tricyclic antidepressants have more severe side effects than SSRIs including low blood pressure, dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations and increased heartbeat, according to the Mayo Clinic. MAOIs can be dangerous if taken without adherence to a strict diet that does not contain food such as certain cheeses, wines, pickles and some other medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. The other antidepressants, such as SNRIs and NDRIs, have side effects that are similar to SSRIs.
Warning
Pregnant women may want to avoid the use of SSRIs during pregnancy due to the withdrawal symptoms the baby will experience once it is born. These infants may experience tremors, restlessness, mild breathing problems and a weak cry, according to HelpGuide.org.
There is also an increase risk of suicide while taking antidepressant medications, particularly in children, adolescents and young adults. According to HelpGuide.org, the risk of suicide is at its highest during the initial two months of beginning treatment with an antidepressant. This is thought to be the case because the person may have more energy and motivation, but still the same negative feelings, which may make it easier for them to engage in suicidal behaviors.
