Advertisement

Antidepressants and Their Uses

All About Antidepressants and Their Uses

Those who suffer from depression are often seeking an answer to their illness and may spend hours trying to understand their situation and trying to find a medication that will help to relieve them of their feelings of hopelessness and despair. Antidepressants are the medication that is usually prescribed to someone who has been diagnosed with clinical depression. Those who are prescribed antidepressant medication often do not understand how the pills work or why they need to take them.

Chemical in the Brain

Most clinical depression is caused when chemicals in the brain become unbalanced. A slight change in one of the chemicals, such as dopamine or serotonin, can cause serious symptoms of depression, leading to a loss of enjoyment of life as well as a difficulty continuing with everyday tasks and hobbies.

How Antidepressants Work

Antidepressants work by readjusting the chemicals in the brain. Because there are a number of different types of depression, there are a number of different medications as well. How your doctor will choose which medication to give you will depend on your medical history, the medical history of your family, and the symptoms that you have been experiencing.

Different Kinds of Antidepressants

There are a number of different types of antidepressants available for a physician to select from.

  • Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRI) - This type of antidepressant medication works by raising the level of dopamine and norepinephrine that is in the brain by stopping their reuptake into the brain. There is only one brand of medication that has been deemed safe by the FDA, and that is bupropion, which is known more commonly as Wellbutrin. This medication is often used not only as an antidepressant, but also as an aid to help people to break bad habits, such as smoking.
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) - This type of antidepressant is one of the most common types of antidepressants prescribed by physicians. They work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the brain, which has been very successful in helping many people to be able to combat the symptoms of depression. Common brands of SSRI's include Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa.
  • Tricyclics - Tricyclic antidepressants work much like SSRI's do, by blocking the reuptake of the norepinephrine chemical into the brain. Common Tricyclic antidepressants prescribed include Elavil, Trofranil, Ludiomil, and Pamelor.

Side Effects

As with any prescription medication, prescribed antidepressants often come with serious side effects. SSRIs, which are often the most prescribed brand of antidepressant, can cause nausea, insomnia, headaches, and sexual problems. Tricyclics are known to cause dry mouth, constipation, tiredness, and blurred vision. NDRI's have side effects that include nausea, headache, insomnia, and agitation. There are also those who see an increase in blood pressure after they begin taking the medication.

Antidepressant medications sales average about $50 billion dollars a year, making them one of the most sought after prescription medications on the market today.


 

Products Helpful with Depression

Are you looking for products that help with:

  • The Symptoms of Depression
  • Manic Depression
  • Teen Depression
  • Clinical Depression
  • Bipolar Depression
  • Seasonal Depression

If you are depressed, here is a list of effective natural products that help with mood disorders and depression.

Consumer Rating Exulin St. Johns Wort Amoryn
Folic Acid 400mcg 0mg 0mg
5-HTP 0mg 0mg 25mg
Vitamin-B6 20mg 0mg 20mg
Vitamin-B12 (Methylcobalamin) 100mcg 0mg 60mcg
St. Johns Wort 300mg 350mg 450mg
Rhodiola 250mg 0mg 0mg
L-Phenylalanine 100mg 0mg 0mg
Folate 0mg 0mg 400mcg
Ginkgo Biloba Ext. 10mg 0mg 0mg
Price $39.95 $15.99 $34.95
Customer Service Excellent Excellent Average
Guarantee 180 day guarantee No guarantee No guarantee
Customer Satisfaction Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied
Overall Score 96/100 90/100 90/100

 

Site Links:

USMedicalResearch.org is designed for information purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem you should consult your own doctor. The products recommended on this site often contain affiliate tracking codes which allow us to receive compensation when a purchase is made.