If you have feelings of hopelessness, can’t eat or been eating a lot, sleeping more or not sleeping at all and have suicidal thoughts for more than two weeks, it’s best to visit a doctor and let them figure out whether you have depression or not. Basically, this is not something that anyone can neglect as the situation can lead to death if you allow it. For treatment, patients are likely to have a variety of therapies and medications planned for the duration of their stay in a facility. Of course, some individuals don’t need to get admitted and will only require some counseling and basic follow ups.
Most often, the use of antidepressant drugs are primarily used in the treatment and they can also be given to people with anxiety disorders, psychotic depression and even bipolar disorders. The drugs are divided into four categories including the cyclic compounds, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), the monoamine oxidase inhibitors and other compounds. For cyclic compounds such as Imipramine and Doxepin, the drugs are the first drug choice which may cause varying degree of sedation and other side effects. The serotonin inhibitors like the popular Fluoxetine have then replaced the cyclic drugs in treating depression and they are known to produce fewer side effects. As for the monoamine osidase inhibitors that include Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine and Isocarboxazid, they are ideally used for people with depression but you have to be wary about its prominent and fatal side effect – hypertensive crisis – when you eat foods containing tyramine. Other antidepressant drugs including Bupropion, Venlafaxine and Trazodone are also effective choices.
Of course, taking these drugs need apt supervision from the prescribing doctor and the patient must be monitored for differing drug level in the bloodstream. Plus, you should watch out for certain foods and activities in the course of the drug regimen.
Depression can be temporary or it can be chronic, affecting people from all ages and genders. If you’re diagnosed with the disorder, it becomes clear that you need to follow what treatment plan is duly recommended. It may involve counseling, the need for therapies and the medications. Of course, antidepressant drugs are only part of the whole plan yet they provide the quickest and effective relief or solution for depression. In order to choose the right one, you need to know several things. One, determine what drugs may work for you and consulting your doctor is needed at this point. Two, know what kind of side effects and adverse reactions these medications have. Three, it’s also important to learn several changes and concerns associated with taking the drugs especially your eating habits and lifestyle.