What is Depression ? 
Causes of Depression Depression in Women Depression in Men Depression in the Elderly Depression in Children 
Diagnosis of Depression Types of Depression Symptoms of Depression / Mania Medication Sertraline-50mg ( Zoloft ) Psychotherapy Definitions Articles 
Medication 
Whereas antidepressant medication does not cure depression, it helps the patient to feel better by controlling certain symptoms.
If you are depressed because of life problems, such as relationship conflicts, divorce, loss of a loved one, job pressures, financial crises, serious medical problems, legal problems, or problems with your children, taking a pill will not make those problems go away.
However, some symptoms of depression, such as sleep and appetite disturbances, significant concentration problems, and chronic fatigue, interfere with your ability to make the life changes necessary to eliminate the depression. In more serious depression, suicidal thoughts and urges, and preoccupation with death, may require medication in addition to psychotherapy.
Antidepressant medication can help relieve those symptoms, and allow you to make needed life changes. The decision to take medication, in addition to participating in psychological treatment, should be discussed with your treating psychologist and your physician.
If medication is part of your treatment, either your physician or a psychiatrist will supervise the medical part of your treatment, while you continue psychotherapy with a psychologist. The medical specialist may supervise all of your medications, or coordinate the medical treatment with the physician providing the antidepressant medications.
Antidepressant Medications
Antidepressants are used most widely for serious depressions, but they can also be helpful for some milder depressions. Antidepressants, although they are not "uppers" or stimulants, take away or reduce the symptoms of depression and help the depressed person feel the way he did before he became depressed.
Antidepressants are also used for disorders characterized principally by anxiety. They can block the symptoms of panic, including rapid heartbeat, terror, dizziness, chest pains, nausea, and breathing problems. They can also be used to treat some phobias.
Your physician will choose a particular antidepressant based on your symptoms. When you begin taking an antidepressant, improvement generally will not begin to show immediately.
With most of these medications, it will take from 1 to 3 weeks before changes begin to occur. Some symptoms diminish early in treatment; others, later. Treatment with medication is continued for a minimum of several months and may last up to a year or more.
While some people have one episode of depression and then never have another, or remain symptom-free for years, others have more frequent episodes or very long-lasting depressions that may go on for years. Some people find that their depressions become more frequent and severe as they get older. For these people, continuing (maintenance) treatment with antidepressants can be an effective way of reducing the frequency and severity of depressions.
Those antidepressants that are commonly used have no known long-term side effects and may be continued indefinitely.
The dosage of antidepressants varies, depending on the type of drug, the person's body chemistry, age, and, sometimes, body weight. Dosages are generally started low and raised gradually over time until the desired effect is reached without the appearance of troublesome side effects.
There are a number of different types of antidepressant medications available. They differ in their side effects and, to some extent, in their level of effectiveness.
Tricyclic antidepressants (named for their chemical structure) used to be the most commonly used medications for treatment of major depressions.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were often used for "atypical" depressions in which there are symptoms like oversleeping, anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. More recently, newer antidepressants have been developed.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Some examples of SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).The SSRI antidepressant effects are due to their action on one specific neurotransmitter, serotonin. All of these newer antidepressants seem to have less bothersome side effects than the older tricyclic antidepressants.
The tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine (Anafranil) affects serotonin but is not as selective as the SSRIs. It was the first medication specifically approved for use in the treatment of obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD). Prozac and Luvox have now been approved for use with OCD.
Another of the newer antidepressants, bupropion (Wellbutrin), is chemically unrelated to the other antidepressants. It has more effect on norepinephrine and dopamine than on serotonin. Wellbutrin has not been associated with weight gain or sexual dysfunction. It is contraindicated for individuals with, or at risk for, a seizure disorder or who have been diagnosed with bulimia or anorexia nervosa.
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The information contained herin is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product / products. For complete information about this product / products or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this produ t/ products or your medical condition.
This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product / products is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.
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