Depression Medication: How it Works and the Common Side Effects

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. There are three primary neurotransmitters in the human brain that 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, it is likely that depression will occur. Medications primarily work by influencing the level of neurotransmitters in the body. 

How does depression meds work?

There are a few different types of medication prescribed for depression, and your psychiatrist will work with you to find the right one for you. The most common type of medication is antidepressants, which come in a variety of forms.  

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a type of antidepressant that work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They include medications like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).

Another type of antidepressant is known as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the brain, which helps increase its levels and improve mood. Some common SSRIs include medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft).

Your doctor may also prescribe you a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), which is a type of medication that affects levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. TCA's can be helpful for people who don't respond well to other types of antidepressants. Some common examples include medications like amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil).

Finally, there's a newer type of antidepressant called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), which works by preventing the breakdown of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This helps improve mood. MAOIs can be effective for people who haven't responded to other types of antidepressants, but they come with a risk of serious side effects, so they're not recommended for everyone.

Finding the Right Medication for Your Depression Medication for You

It's important to find the right depression medication for you. Not all medicines are created equal, and what might work for one person might not work for another. While some people may experience severe side effects, others may not see any improvement or feel anything. Thus, it becomes very important for you to take the medications under the supervision of a trained and qualified psychiatrist - and only take the medication as per the prescription. 

Each type of antidepressant has a slightly different way of working, so it's important to find the one that will work best for you. It's also important to be aware of the side effects associated with each type of medication, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it's the right choice for you.

Depression medication comes with a variety of common side effects. While each person may experience side effects differently, some of the most common ones include:

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Headache

• Nausea

• Weight gain or loss

It's important to be aware of these potential side effects before you start taking medication. If you experience any severe side effects, like extreme nausea or headaches, be sure to talk to your psychiatrist right away.

If you feel that a certain medication has too many side effects, or that it is not working for you, do not hesitate to talk to your psychiatrist. They are there to help you get better, and will always listen to you and your concerns. For instance, if you start taking a certain medication that is affecting your sleep, and you want a different medication, you can talk to your psychiatrist about it. They will weigh the pros and cons and prescribe a different medication for you. 

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.