Antidepressants - What They Are, How They Work, Side Effects, & More
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are prescription medicines to treat depression. Depression is more than feeling a little sad or "blue" for a few days. It's a very common, serious medical illness that affects your mood and general mental health It can make you feel tired, hopeless, worried, or fearful. It can change your thinking, sleeping, and eating. Depression may make some people think about ending their lives.
But antidepressants can help many people who have depression. Researchers think antidepressants may help improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress.
Are antidepressants used for other conditions?
A health care provider may prescribe antidepressants for anxiety, chronic pain, or insomnia. Sometimes providers also prescribe antidepressants for other conditions.
What are the different types of antidepressants?
There are many types of antidepressants. Each one works differently. Providers usually prescribe newer antidepressants first because they don't cause as many side effects as older types. They also seem to help more kinds of depression and anxiety problems.
Most of the newer antidepressants belong to one of these three groups:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Atypical antidepressants, which are newer antidepressants that don't fit into the other groups
If these antidepressants don't help, your provider might suggest one of the older antidepressants. The older types include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), tetracyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Even though these antidepressants may cause more serious side effects, the benefits may outweigh the risks for some people.
Which type of antidepressant is right for me?
Our bodies and brains all work differently. That means one antidepressant won't work for everyone. You may need to try two or more medicines before you find one that works for you.
Your provider will work with you to choose the best option to try first. You'll consider questions such as:
Which symptoms bother you most? Some antidepressants may do a better job helping specific symptoms, such as trouble sleeping.
What other medicines and supplements do you take? Some antidepressants can cause problems if you take them with certain medicines and herbs.
Did a certain antidepressant work well for a close relative? An antidepressant that helped a parent, brother, or sister could be a good choice for you, too.
Do you have other health conditions? Certain antidepressants can make some other conditions better or worse. Any other conditions that you have will be part of choosing your depression treatment.
Are you pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or breastfeeding? If so, your provider will help you find a way to treat your depression that's safe for you and your baby.
How long do antidepressants take to work?
Antidepressants usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work, so you'll need to be patient. You may notice that some problems, such as sleeping and eating, get better before your mood improves. That's a good sign. You may just need to give the medicine a little more time to do its job.
Sometimes an antidepressant helps at first, but symptoms return while you're still taking it. But there's usually another one you can try. To get more relief from depression, your provider may suggest combining two antidepressants, using another kind of medicine with an antidepressant, or adding talk therapy or other approaches to improve your mental health.
How long will I need to take an antidepressant?
When an antidepressant starts to work, you and your provider can decide how long you need to stay on it. The typical length of treatment is 6 to 12 months, but some people may stay on antidepressants for much longer.
What are the side effects of antidepressants?
Not everyone has side effects from antidepressants. But if you do have them, they're usually mild and may get better over time as your body gets used to the new medicine.
The most common side effects from antidepressants include:
Nausea and vomiting
Weight gain
Diarrhea
Sleepiness
Sexual problems, such as a lack of desire or ability to have sex
When thinking about side effects, it's important to remember that there are also risks from not treating depression. Your provider can help you think through the pros and cons of all your options.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
Пікірлер: 30
We really hope you found this video valuable, informative and helpful. We’d really appreciate it if you would Like, Subscribe and Comment! Thank you so much!!
Moringa and green tea makes you feel so calm ,relieved and relax,cause you to sleep so well
I have started taking antidepressants from yesterday but doing vomiting after that ! Is it normal???
Thanks for the video. Which SSRI is the best/as the least side effects in 2023?
@7979ice
11 ай бұрын
i am on day8 lexapro..still not having side effects.but have read that it will work fully after 2weeks so i am still expecting to have side effects too
@kingchriistiian6757
7 ай бұрын
@@7979iceupdate? Is it worth it?
I have tried antidepressants for fibromyalgia pain, some have made me quite sick and haven't worked due to reactions, but a new one seams to be working but I have lots of side effects.
@rehealthify243
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your comment A!
@dexterjademiral4575
5 ай бұрын
Ano Po ba mga side effect Ng pag inom mo Ng gamot?????
Aren't you able to show the names of the most used untideperassants ?
@lilianparle4822
Жыл бұрын
Take shrooms with supplements. It heals!!! 🍄🍄🍄 Put under prescription.
@lilianparle4822
Жыл бұрын
Charlesmyco will aid you in any vital information you wish.
@lilianparle4822
Жыл бұрын
He's on instagram
Try a cup of moringa with green ,u will never regret it ❤
I never wanted to die so bad.
@jolenemiller8470
Жыл бұрын
I don’t know if you’ll see this but hang on one day at a time & find a distraction.
@tesiemarie8942
Жыл бұрын
I feel your pain.. It’s horrible.. it’s hard but hang on!! Everyday is a new day. Go get your hormones checks as a lot of times a woman’s hormones are off balance..
@steverogers7601
5 ай бұрын
I’ve had moments like this. I’m not sure how I made it after this moments but I took it a day at a time. It’s not easy and it’s absolutely hard. I kept remembering what others have told me and coached me on. I remember the counseling and just kept forcing myself to think on that and thankfully enough it was able to get me through those moments.
@maxviclomax9327
5 ай бұрын
It takes time, and it isnt easy, but in time if you work hard and do what you love, find your passions, make time for yourself, treat yourself with love, enjoy the small things, ect, you can live a life of happines, it isnt everyday, but the good days will slowly out wieigh the bad days, i hope you're doing well and thriving, you add a beauty to this world no one else can
cant fix BPD
@lilianparle4822
Жыл бұрын
Why?
Don't take antidepressants... antidepressants is worst of worst...Go gym.. it's best for depression.
@davidescristofaros2241
9 ай бұрын
When you're unable to even get out of bed it's unthinkable to go to the gym. Antidepressants are meant to make you function when depression becomes debilitating. Hitting the gym definitely improves your mood and can help with depression, but that doesn't mean antidepressants are useless.
@Msharma30
9 ай бұрын
I started working out going to gym even I started meditation but yesterday I finally build up courage went to a psychiatrist she prescribed few medicines. Just alone going to gym at times dont work for few people. The traumatizing past thoughts panic attacks anxiety childhood abuse loneliness heartbreak got cheated on the way people treated me suicidal attempts all these years and many more things to add on cause severe depression so to get out of this loop at times medicines can help along with workout and meditation. And its okay to have it. And I'm hopeful one day I'll get out of it.
@davidescristofaros2241
9 ай бұрын
@@Msharma30 I wish the best for you
@HurlingMongroach
7 ай бұрын
@@davidescristofaros2241nope they useless u wrong
@SREEJANV-xq2uc
6 ай бұрын
So can u tell how cancer treat without meds