| Ten percent of American adults are estimated to suffer from a depressive disorder. This category of mental health problems includes major depression. Symptoms of major depression are as follows:
- No interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Feeling sad or empty
- Feeling slowed down or feeling restless and unable to sit still
- Gaining or losing weight
- Thoughts about death or suicide
- Trouble making everyday decisions
- Problems sleeping, in particular in the early morning or waiting to sleep all the time
- Feeling emotionally numb
Depression is considered to be connected with chemical imbalances in the brain that makes it difficult for cells to communicate with one another.
Depression can result from stressful events, such as the death of someone you love, a breakup or job loss. But it can also develop out of the blue. Certain medicines, drugs and alcohol, can lead to depression.
Depression can be cured with medicines, or special form of counseling known as psychotherapy, or with both. Antidepressants are medicines used to help people having depression. The vast majority of people with depression get better with treatment that includes these drugs.
Chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters are required for normal brain work. Antidepressants help make these natural chemicals more available to the brain.
Antidepressants are normally taken leastwise for 6 to 12 months. At times, patients and their physicians may conclude that antidepressants are required for a longer period of time.
Antidepressants can better your mood, sleep, concentration and appetite. It may take several weeks to see the results. There are a few types of antidepressants. You and your doctor may have to try a few before finding what medication is the most efficient for you.
At times medications cause unexpected side effects. They may vary from person to person and from medication to medication. For example, when you first begin your antidepressant you may feel tired, have sleeping problems or have upset stomach. These side effects typcally go away after a while.
Even after a year of treatment, there is still about a 10% probability of depression returning as soon as treatment is finished. Some people take an antidepressant for several years. |
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