The use of antidepressants is an essential part of the relieving and treating depressive symptoms. Antidepressant medications are crucial in the treatment of moderate, severe, and even chronic depression. Several drugs are available for the treatment of depression. The commonly used antidepressants include the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). The TCAs have existed in the market slightly longer than the other medications. As such, they are commonly regarded as the first generation antidepressants. Both the SSRIs and the SSNRIs are considered the second generation antidepressants. Scientists believe that depression is caused as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain such as serotonin (Harmer, Duman, & Cowen, 2017).
The role of the antidepressants is to increase the level and availability of the chemicals in the brain. Antidepressant medications should be taken daily. The primary goal within the first few weeks is to relieve the debilitating symptoms and eliminate the depressive symptoms if possible. After the achievement of the primary goal, the treatment should continue for the next four to nine months. The importance of continuing the treatment is to prevent possible relapse (Ng, How, Ng 2017). As the treatment continues, it is advisable for the patient to continue engagements with the medical doctor. As the treatment approaches the end, the dosage is slowly reduced.
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The benefit from the drugs largely relies on the nature of the depression and the symptoms. Also, it is important to appreciate that antidepressants have several side effects, just like any other drug. Research has shown that almost half of individuals using antidepressants experience side effects. Patients taking these drugs cab exhibit dryness of the mouth, anxiety, decreased sex drive, and headache. Although most of the side effects are as a result of the interaction of the drug with the brain, some are also caused by the drug itself.
References
Harmer, C. J., Duman, R. S., & Cowen, P. J. (2017). How do antidepressants work? New perspectives for refining future treatment approaches. The Lancet Psychiatry , 4(5), 409-418.
Ng, C. W. M., How, C. H., & Ng, Y. P., (2017). Managing depression in primary care. Singapore Medical Journal , 58(8), 459.
