As a proportion of the population, more Americans use antidepressants than citizens in any other nation. The medications’ effectiveness has nevertheless been widely contested.
Some people think that the long-term benefits may outweigh the short-term ones and that the short-term advantages are considerably more modest than is often believed. Others think they are effective and have the power to alter lives.
Depression is frequently treated with antidepressants. You do, however, have a BIG, burning question: Do antidepressants actually work?
If you’ve never used antidepressants before, there are many things to consider and it’s normal to feel a little anxious.
What Do Antidepressants Do?
The quick answer to the question “Do antidepressants really work?” is “YES!” Okay, here’s the lengthy response: antidepressant drugs are fantastic in restoring balance to your brain’s chemistry and making depression a less formidable foe. With the aid of medicine, your depression transforms into a tiny baby spider that you can easily brush off of your arm rather than that enormous spider from The Lord of the Rings.
We’re going to provide you a basic scientific understanding of how antidepressants act because different depression medications have distinct effects.
Your brain contains substances known as neurotransmitters. You’ve probably heard of the names of these little creatures: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Antidepressants help these neurotransmitters grow, which helps you feel soooo much better!
A growing body of research shows that these drugs also reduce inflammation, shield the brain, and encourage the formation of new connections between brain cells. The precise contribution of neurotransmitters to the antidepressant action mechanism is unknown. All of this is to imply that it would be appropriate to mention that although we do not yet fully understand how they function, we believe they perform a variety of roles.
Although scientists and medical professionals have researched these drugs for decades, it can still be difficult to decide whether taking antidepressants is the appropriate course of action for you. To assist you in making that choice, here is a list of benefits and drawbacks!
Pros
1. Relieve depressive symptoms.
In essence, you won’t feel as crummy! GET OVER IT, DEPRESSION! Your depression symptoms will lessen, and one day you’ll recognize how much better you feel after a “lightbulb” moment.
2. Improve your motivation and increase energy.
Even the simplest self-care duties might be challenging to carry out when you’re sad. Shower? Thanks, but no. doing the dishes? Without a doubt! However, antidepressants might aid in regaining your desire and drive. Beware of the unclean dishes! This is it!
3. Helps balance out chemicals in your brain.
The brain is a challenging organ! In order for you to take in the chemicals you need and start feeling fantastic, antidepressants work to balance out the hormones and neurotransmitters that are bouncing about in your brain.
4. They’re safe to take.
In the 1950s, the first antidepressants were created. Therefore, DECADES of science and research have gone into ensuring that they function. Although some medications may have negative effects, they are not intrinsically harmful.
Cons
1. Some might not work for you.
Finding the ideal drug is similar to finding the ideal lover in that you may need to test a few before you discover one that works well for your lifestyle. And what about that? That’s fine and very normal. Therefore, if one antidepressant doesn’t work for you straight away, don’t give up.
2. There are side effects of antidepressants.
There is a list of potential adverse effects for every drug. These often occur adverse effects include nauseousness, sleepiness, reduced sex desire, weight gain, dizziness, dry mouth, and difficulty falling asleep. These adverse effects aren’t always there, and you could not even encounter any at all. To be informed of all potential consequences, make sure you review the side effects of the drug your doctor or psychiatrist has prescribed you.
3. Coming off them can be hard.
If your depression was transient or situational, your doctor may advise gradually stopping your antidepressants. Given that your body becomes accustomed to the medications and experiences withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them, it is crucial to do this gradually and under the guidance of your doctor or psychiatrist.
If done too rapidly or if you stop them abruptly, you could feel like a mound of crap. Always come up with a strategy with your doctor to ease the transition off of them.
In addition, it is very acceptable if your doctor does not advise you to reduce or stop taking your medicine. You might need to take medicine for the remainder of your life if you have a chronic ailment (such as severe clinical depression, PTSD, CPTSD, or OCD, for example). It’s okay that way.
4. They take time to work.
The typical wait time for doctors to determine if your antidepressants are working is 4 to 8 weeks. Unfortunately, they don’t work right away and require time to take effect. Therefore, if you’ve just been taking them for a week, don’t give up!
Common Antidepressants
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are the two main categories of antidepressants (SNRIs).
SSRIs are used to treat serotonin imbalances in the brain and to slow down the serotonin reuptake process in the brain. How great is it that extra serotonin may then float around and be available in your brain as a result?
Similar effects are achieved with SNRIs, except they also decrease serotonin AND norepinephrine reuptake. You will feel a ton better as a result and your brain’s chemistry will be restored! Anxiety and discomfort can both be treated with SNRIs.
These are the most common SSRIs and SNRIs:
SSRI
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, Brisdelle)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
SNRI
- Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
In most cases, experts are unsure of which will be more effective. Additionally, it can be worthwhile to attempt a non-drug treatment like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or another type of psychotherapy first.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
One of the most challenging medical conditions is depression. Additionally, it’s critical to communicate well with your doctor in order to receive the finest care.
To achieve a target dosage, you must recognize your desired symptoms. These particulars are frequently overlooked. It then turns into an expectation mismatch. That would be considered a therapeutic failure rather than a drug failure.
Here are some inquiries you might wish to make regarding antidepressants:
- When should I see results?
- Will I feel worse before I feel better?
- How often should I follow up?
- What are common side effects? How long do they last?
- How do I know if side effects are serious?
- What happens if the drug stops working?
- How long should I stay on an antidepressant?
- How do I know if I need to change the dose?
- What are nondrug treatments for depression?
- What is the plan for stopping the drug?
Don’t Give Up Too Early
To wish to feel well quickly is common. However, antidepressants take time to start working. Experts are unsure about the actual cause. According to one idea, it may take these medications days or even weeks to alter the molecular pathways that cause sadness. To be certain, additional investigation is required.
While every person is unique, it might often take 4-6 weeks to notice significant changes. However, you need to give a drug roughly 8 weeks before you can honestly declare that it doesn’t work.
And if your first antidepressant doesn’t work for you, keep trying. According to studies, if you attempt several different strategies, your chances of success increase.
The key takeaway is that depression may be effectively treated with medicine. But you must continue to participate in the treatment.