Amaha / / / Depression Medication: How It Works and the Common Side Effects
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Depression Medication: How It Works and the Common Side Effects
Published on
28th Nov 2025
Dr Soumya Parameshwaran
MD Psychiatry
When it comes to depression medication, there are many options available. People generally have very strong opinions about psychiatric medications, but this also brings up a lot of myths about them - particularly about the side effects. A study even found that a majority of Indians prefer faith healers over psychiatric support for mental health conditions!
It is quite normal for people to be a little hesitant to try medication for depression. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the different types of medication available for depression, as well as their side effects.
Neurotransmitters And Their Role In Mood
Before understanding how medication works, it is important to understand how neurotransmitters affect mood. Neurotransmitters are essentially chemical messengers. They are responsible for relaying messages from nerve cells to the target cells - and they also influence mood. Three primary neurotransmitters in the human brain affect mood: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Each one has a specific function:
- Serotonin is responsible for mood and emotions. It's also involved in sleep, appetite, and pain sensation. Your mood is controlled by serotonin in your brain. It is frequently referred to as your body's "feel-good" chemical. You feel more emotionally secure, happier, calmer, and more emotionally focused when serotonin levels are normal. Depression and low serotonin levels are related.
- Norepinephrine is responsible for alertness and focus. The sympathetic nervous system, which is a component of your body's emergency "fight-or-flight" response to danger, produces norepinephrine. When there is an imbalance in the amount of norepinephrine in the body, it is said to cause depression.
- Dopamine is responsible for pleasure and motivation. The brain's reward system is connected to dopamine, and it is responsible for causing pleasurable feelings.. It's also involved in movement and coordination. Lack of this neurotransmitter is said to be linked to depression.
When there is an imbalance in these neurotransmitters in the brain, depression will likely occur. Medications primarily work by influencing the level of neurotransmitters in the body.
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When people first consider depression medication, they often wonder how antidepressants work and what depression pills do. There are many misconceptions about treatment, especially around the side effects of depression medication, which makes some people hesitant. Understanding how depression medication works can make the process clearer and reduce anxiety about starting treatment.
How Antidepressants Work: Understanding Brain Chemistry
To understand how antidepressants work, it's helpful to look at neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals influence mood, motivation, sleep, and emotional balance. When their levels are disrupted, symptoms of depression can emerge. Most medications help correct this imbalance; this is essentially how depression medication works inside the brain. Knowing what depression pills do can make the idea of taking medication feel less overwhelming.
Types of Antidepressants
There are several types of antidepressants, and your psychiatrist will decide which suits your symptoms best.
• SSRIs increase serotonin by reducing its reabsorption.
• SNRIs affect serotonin and norepinephrine.
• TCAs work on norepinephrine and dopamine.
• MAOIs, though older, prevent the breakdown of these chemicals.
Different types of antidepressants work in different ways, which is why it’s important to find the right depression medication with expert guidance. Sometimes it takes time to find the right depression medication that works best for your body and symptoms.
Understand Your Feelings Better
Take our quick assessment to understand your emotional state better. Get clarity on your symptoms and see whether what you're feeling may be more than sadness.
How Do Antidepressants Make You Feel?
A common question is how antidepressants make you feel in the first few weeks. Many people notice subtle changes first, better sleep or improved energy, while mood shifts happen more gradually. This variation is normal. Knowing how antidepressants make you feel can help set realistic expectations as your treatment begins.
Common Antidepressant Side Effects
Understanding the common side effects of antidepressants helps you prepare for what to expect. These may include:
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Weight changes
• Drowsiness
These common antidepressant side effects tend to improve over time. Still, tracking the side effects of depression medication is important. If any side effects of depression medication feel too strong, your psychiatrist can adjust the dose or switch to another option.
Finding the Right Medication
There is no universal solution. Your psychiatrist will help you find the right depression medication based on your symptoms, medical history, and how your body responds. With the right support, antidepressants can help you regain stability and well-being.
Conclusion
Depression is a serious mental illness that can impact every aspect of your life. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to treating depression, medication can be an important part of the treatment process.
With the right treatment plan, you can start to feel like yourself again and overcome depression. If you're struggling with depression, don't hesitate to seek help.
