Antidepressants 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know
Introduction
Change in social and economical states throughout the world although has brought prosperity among the individuals of the world but at a price. It has brought both physical and mental stressors. Now people have to work harder and under mental tensions. Now the depression is prevalent everywhere at office, in transport and also at home. To relieve those stressors people are trying every type of therapy be it drugs or some exercise or some kind of psychotherapy so as to work efficiently.
What is depression?
Depression is basically a pathological change in mood. For being diagnosed as depressed medically one has to have certain well defined symptoms such as early morning awakening, decreased or increased appetite, decreased interest, sense of guilt, etc. continuously for a period of 2 weeks. From the biochemical point of view at the neuronal level it is hypothesized that there is a lack of nor adrenaline and Serotonin at the neuronal nerve endings.
Different types of antidepressants
Modern day antidepressants are classified broadly into nor adrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake intake inhibitors and the atypical ones. As stated above, the cause of depression is lack of nor adrenaline and serotonin and hence most of the antidepressants are meant to serve that purpose for e.g. some like imipramine increase the concentration of nor adrenaline and serotonin while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like fluoxetine block the uptake and hence increase the concentration of serotonin. The atypical antidepressants like mianserin increase the release of nor adrenaline at the neuronal nerve endings cause the elevation of mood. Extreme forms of depression are associated with suicidal tendencies and they are mostly treated by electro convulsive therapy.
Uses and side effects
The antidepressants are used in major depression and also are sometimes used in enuresis of children. The side effects of the antidepressants are many like dry mouth sedation increased appetite hypotension and convulsions to name only few but the most important of them all are dependence of the patients on these medications and then the drug abuse.
The electro convulsive therapy has the side effect of some impairment in memory hence it is only used in extreme cases.
Other options and their advantages
The other options available in the market are herbal medicines, cognitive psychotherapy, yoga and other alternative medicine. Most of these therapies are based on the age-old system on minimally disrupting the chemical composition of the body but at the same time relieving the subjects of their symptoms. One of the herbal medicines is St. John's wort. Therapies like yoga and psychotherapy are gaining ground as most the drugs are having their own side effects profile but these have none. Cognitive therapy aims at altering the thought processes of the individual and has beneficial effects not only in depression but also in disorders as varied as panic attacks, bulimia, etc.
From the discussion it is clear that there are a number of options available and what is best for one is not necessarily going to be the best for other and hence the therapy should be customized for individual rather than generalized.
Mansi Gupta writes about Antidepressants topics.
Latest News
Depression linked to poorer diabetes control Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depression may make it harder for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels in check, researchers have found. ... Psychotherapy may help with diabetes control Utah Offers Low-Cost A1C Testing |
Another Great Depression? Wadena Pioneer Journal, MN - The predictions are everywhere: the current economic crisis is the worst since the Great Depression or “we’re entering another Great Depression,” some of ... |
Fairfax Students Report Depression Mount Vernon Gazette, VA - By Julia O'Donoghue The percentage of Fairfax County Public School students reporting depression has fallen in the last seven years but still remains higher ... Column: Of Budgets and Buses |
Depression vs. Now: From a Man Who Knows MyFox Kansas City, MO - As the nation's economy worsens, a Kansas man who lived through the Great Depression compares now and then. LEE'S SUMMIT, MO. -- Between the job losses, ... |
Real cattle values cut in half since 1989: NFU Manitoba Co-operator, Canada - These half-price cattle are bankrupting family farmers across Canada and creating the most severe crisis in the sector since the Great Depression. ... Report says family cattle producers facing most severe crisis ... Industry changes bankrupting cattle farmers: report NFU Releases Report on Cattle Sector |
 Montgomery County Sentinel | Accused killer spoke of depression and debt Montgomery County Sentinel, MD - By Bailey Quinonez ROCKVILLE - It was a combination of gambling debt and depression that drove two "good friends" apart and left one of them dead, ... |
Great Depression interpretation of Bible story will make Perham’s ... Perham Enterprise Bulletin, MN - Famine, locusts, economic distress, terrible weather and crop failures are common themes to the Joseph story and the Great Depression. ... |
FOMC Minutes: Recession & Depression Simultaneously 24/7 Wall St., NY - If you don't think this is a recession or a depression just read through the full minutes. You will see a recession and you might get depression. ... |
 New York Times | So Mr. Skelos, What’s Your Plan? New York Times, United States - Such cuts are politically unpopular but absolutely essential, as the state struggles with the worst economic outlook since the Great Depression. ... Lawmakers, Paterson can't agree on cuts Time for Gov. David Paterson to get tough on budget We must set aside politics to produce real results |
How to Stop the Looming Depression Without Lining Fat-Cat CEOs ... AlterNet, CA - By Mike Davis, Tomdispatch.com. Posted November 19, 2008. We are now at a crash site, and our priority should be to save the victims. Here's how we do that. ... |
Resources
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Mental Health Support. Treatment For Depression, Anxiety and Stress with
Zen.
Treatment and support for your Depression, anxiety, and stress. People suffering from Depression, anxiety and stress have been fed 4 big myths by experts, doctors and media. This Zen lesson gives you a new approach to improving your mental health.
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Conquering Stress
Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety Permanently, Without Drugs!
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WordMedicine.com.
How To Stop Depression And Anxiety In 6 Minutes Flat.
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Defeat Depression Today
Simple Four Steps to Empower You In All Areas of Your Life.
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Huband's Guide to Understanding Codependency and Depression
A guide for partners of codependents.
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End Depression Now
End Depression now, an effective and quick way to end Depression.
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Self Help Depression With Transformation Skills
Explains how Transformation Skills can be used to self help Depression and how you can learn transformation skill.
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Anxiety, Stress & Depression Products.
3 products and growing on Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression Relief from a Former Patient.
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Insomnia Remedies - Depression and sleep disorders in the elderly - Pernicious anemia sleep problems
Offering the complete health guide to self healing, HomeMadeMedicine.com shows you how to treat any disease, with herbs, herbal therapy, home remedies to better your sexual health. Womens health, man health, children health.
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