Depression Medication As A Treatment Option
At one time individuals who took depression medication might have been viewed as having serious medical problems. Today, however; a more educated public is beginning to realize that depression medication is beneficial for treating mild forms of depression as well as more serious mental disorders. Depression medication is just one of the remedies that are used to treat symptoms of medication. Alone, depression medication is not a cure all for depression. Most patients suffering from medication are prescribed a regimen of psychotherapy and self-help combined with depression medication. Additionally, patients should realize that depression medication does not work overnight. The medication must be allowed time to build up in the patient’s system in order to work properly. The amount of time required before any changes in feelings or behavior are noticed varies from one depression medication and individual from the next, but the typical average is anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. There may be a period of adjustment for a patient when beginning a regimen of depression medication. Not all types of depression medications work for all individuals. The patient’s physician will typically monitor the patient’s progress and may make changes in the type of medication that is prescribed as well as the dosage. Depression medication should only be taken after an individual has received a prescription from a physician and an accurate diagnosis has been made. Borrowing depression medication from friends and family is extremely dangerous and can have life threatening results. There are serious consequences for abruptly starting and stopping depression medication. Depression medication should only be taken under the direction of a physician. It is also extremely important for the medication to be taken as prescribed. This means taking the medication at the correct time intervals, as prescribed by the physician. Individuals who are considering taking depression medication should be aware of the side effects of the medicine. Most types of depression medication have one or more side effects associated with the medicine. There are three basic categories of depression medication. Tricyclic antidepressants; monoamine oxidase inhibitors, more commonly known as MAOI’s, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; which are known as SSRI’s. Tricyclic antidepressants are known to more commonly have side effects such as dry mouth and sexual changes. There is a serious and life threatening danger of overdose associated with tricyclic antidepressants. Symptoms of overdose related to tricyclic antidepressants typically affect the heart, such as seizures and rapid heartbeat. Tricyclic antidepressants should not be combined with certain other medications. SSRI’s tend to have GI related side effects and MAOI’s can bring on psychotic episodes and seizures when combined with certain other medications. It is extremely important for patients to inform every physician they see about the medications they are taking. Failure to do so can result in