Depression Medications

Depression Medications are in the hands of the Beholder
By RockinJay
Depression Medications, well, think about this: is caused by a variety of factors.  It can by biological, genetic, physical and emotional.  Simple daily life and surroundings are important.  Stress and other negative influences have been known to contribute.  Complicated diseases like aren't easy to crack.  We also recognize the intricacy of man's mind.  The medical profession is working steadily in an attempt to study the mind and how it works.  A chemical imbalance in the brain causes depression, that's known.  We are learning more every day about how the whole process works.  Better treatments come from more knowledge. Depression medications for treatment comes from a variety on the market.  Quick fix schemes exist too, but they don't work.  You have to be careful to seek medications that have been clinically studied and have been proven to display positive effects in the treatment of depression.  There was a time in our history if you were afflicted by anything that was associated with mental illness you were thrown into a mental ward and lost in the system.  It's good to know that's no longer the case.  In 1988 the anti-depressant 'Prozac' first hit the market in the United States.  It was proven to work, and thus is still prescribed today even though it can have serious side effects.

There are several types of medications (antidepressants) used to treat and conditions that have as a component of the disease, such as bipolar disorder. These drugs improve symptoms of by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is believed that these brain chemicals can help improve emotions.

Major types of depression medications include:

    * Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are some of the first antidepressants used to treat depression. They primarily affect the levels of two chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. Although these drugs are effective in treating depression, they have more side effects, so they usually aren't the first drugs used.
    * Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another early form of antidepressant. These drugs are most effective in people with who do not respond to other treatments. They are also effective for other mental illnesses. Substances in certain foods, like cheese,

beverages like wine, and medications can interact with an MAOI, so these people taking this medication must adhere to strict dietary restrictions (see below). For this reason these antidepressants also aren't usually the first drugs used.
    * Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a newer form of antidepressant. These drugs work by altering the amount of a chemical in the brain called serotonin.
    * Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another newer form of antidepressant medicine. They treat by increasing availability of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.

Depression Medications affect your brain chemistry in different ways, so you may try several different medications or combinations of medications to find treatment that works for your depression. Most people find a drug that works within a few tries, but for some people, can be more difficult to treat. In some cases, a combination of antidepressants may be necessary. Sometimes an antidepressant combined with a different type of medication-such as an antiseizure, mood stabilizer, or antianxiety drug-is effective.

Since that time more and more use has been made of a new class of anti-depressants.  The SSRI or (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, and Luvox are all being used to treat today.  All have been proven effective but come with varied side effects.  Most antidepressants are believed to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are needed for normal brain function. Antidepressants help people with by making these natural chemicals more available to the brain. Antidepressants are typically taken for at least 4 to 6 months. In some cases, patients and their doctors may decide that antidepressants are needed for a longer time.

Antidepressants are put into groups based on which chemicals in the brain they affect. There are many different kinds of antidepressants, including:

    * Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
          o citalopram (brand name: Celexa)
          o escitalopram (brand name: Lexapro)
          o fluoxetine (brand name: Prozac)
          o paroxetine (brand names: Paxil, Pexeva)
          o sertraline (brand name: Zoloft)

These medicines tend to have fewer side effects than other antidepressants. Some of the side effects that can be caused by SSRIs include dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, sexual problems and headache.

    * Tricyclics
          o amitriptyline (brand name: Elavil)
          o desipramine (brand name: Norpramin)
          o imipramine (brand name: Tofranil)
          o nortriptyline (brand name: Aventyl, Pamelor)

Common side effects caused by these medicines include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, worsening of glaucoma, impaired thinking and tiredness. These antidepressants can also affect a person's blood pressure and heart rate.

    * Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
          o venlafaxine (brand name: Effexor)
          o duloxetine (brand name: Cymbalta)

Some common side effects caused by these medicines include nausea and loss of appetite, anxiety and nervousness, headache, insomnia and tiredness. Dry mouth, constipation, weight loss, sexual problems, increased heart rate and increased cholesterol levels can also occur.

    * Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
          o bupropion (brand name: Wellbutrin)

Some of the common side effects in people taking NDRIs include agitation, nausea, headache, loss of appetite and insomnia. It can also cause increase blood pressure in some people.
Some of the common side effects in people taking NDRIs include agitation, nausea, headache, loss of appetite and insomnia. It can also cause increase blood pressure in some people.

    * Combined reuptake inhibitors and receptor blockers
          o trazodone (brand name: Desyrel)
          o nefazodone (brand name: Serzone)
          o maprotiline
          o mirtazpine (brand name: Remeron)

Common side effects of these medicines are drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and dizziness. If you have liver problems, you should not take nefazodone. If you have seizures, you should not take maprotiline.

    * Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
          o isocarboxazid (brand name: Marplan)
          o phenelzine (brand name: Nardil)
          o tranlcypromine (brand name: Parnate)

The market is also ripe with herbal medications and treatments.  The majority of these that have been proven to work as well as the anti-depressants contain the St. John's Wort extract ingredient called 'hyperforin'.   Some herbal remedies don't contain this ingredient in the proper strength so they don't work.  Be careful, do your research and you will find effective medications to treat depression
In this context it has to be said that the common misconception that herbs for are natural and thus do not have any side effects is outright wrong and the depressive patient should be aware of the potential risks of taking herbs for without consulting a medical professional.

Conclusion:

Although the use of herbs for is widely spread, on the whole there is (maybe with the exception of St. John´s wort) no definitive evidence for the usefulness of herbal treatments for depression. Especially when compared to standard prescription drugs for herbs for usually cannot prevail as a first choice treatment option. However, when other more established treatments fail, in cases of mild depression, using herbs for may be worth a try. In any case the user should realise the limitations and not underestimate the risks of using herbs for depression.

What is St. John's Wort?

St. John's wort is a wild yellow flower considered to be a weed throughout most of the United States. It has been used for medical purposes in other parts of the world for thousands of years. Today, St. John's wort is continually being studied to try to validate its alleged mood-improving benefits.

More than 30 clinical studies have been conducted over the past 22 years to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John's Wort. While the true benefits of St. John's wort are still being explored, if you do choose to use it, be sure to learn all you can and check with your doctor before taking it. There is some scientific evidence that St. John's Wort is helpful in treating mild to moderate depression. However, two large studies, one sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), showed that the herb was no more effective than placebo in treating major of moderate severity. NCCAM is currently studying the use of St. John's Wort in a wider spectrum of mood disorders, including minor depression.

If used appropriately, CAM might boost your sense of control over your health, and that can be essential for wellness. Proponents of complementary and alternative treatments claim that these nondrug interventions could allow you to take less medication, have fewer laboratory tests and surgeries, and be an active participant in your own care. However, if used haphazardly, some complementary and alternative medicines are toxic, and some can interact with other medications you are taking. As some have learned the hard way, taking the wrong dietary supplement and having an adverse reaction can add to your laundry list of health problems.Further studies with this herbal treatment for are currently conducted, but it may take years before a final verdict can be made on St. John´s Wort. The exact mode of action of this herbal treatment for is not fully understood, although there is some evidence that it acts on serotonin production or -activity. Despite open questions and demonstrated limitations, St. John's Wort currently stands as the only one of the herbs for with a clinically demonstrated positive effect at least in mild cases of depression.

About the Author: RockinJay gathers information for various websites.