If you are a chronic sufferer of depression or you know someone who suffers from it, then you must have wondered about the relationship between various antidepressants and their effectiveness. Many people suffer from depression-including you-so finding out the truth about medication effectiveness can be important to you. You may have already tried several medications without success and this may lead you to wonder whether or not your condition is related to medication. While depression is very treatable, it is important to realize that there is more than one type of depression and not all people respond the same way to the same medications. There are some medications that may not be effective for you and hence, it is important that you first discuss this with your doctor or health practitioner before you take any medicine.
Most people do not understand that antidepressants may be ineffective because they are used in a way that is not appropriate for the condition. They are prescribed by healthcare professionals as a group or in combination with each other. This means that a medication that has been effective for one person may not work for you and vice versa. In addition to this, the medications are often taken for prolonged periods of time, which may affect their effectiveness. Some people also find that they become tolerant to them and this worsens their condition.
There are many other reasons why medication may not be as effective as it should in treating depression. The most common problem with antidepressants is that they are designed to be long-term treatment. It is normal for people who take them to experience some degree of difficulty while trying to stay off the medication. Some of these symptoms include headaches, nausea, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and changes in mood. Some of these symptoms are normal and are to be expected during antidepressant use; however, if you find yourself experiencing more than usual signs of these problems, then you may be better suited for another form of treatment.
Other problems with antidepressants include the fact that they can have an unpredictable effect on the body. For this reason, it is important to use them as little as possible. If you feel that you must use them, try adjusting the dose and/or length of the prescription so that your dosage is decreased but your symptoms are not aggravated. This will help you determine whether your medication effectiveness is suffering because of this problem. You may find that the shorter the time you are on the medication, the better your results will be.
Another problem with most medications is that they must be taken daily, which can be very cumbersome. Some people have jobs that require them to be away from home for extended periods of time every day. If you must take medications every day, then you should be sure to find a method of medication that does not require you to be at the computer, using the phone or any other activity that requires attention. You can improve your results by choosing a medication that does not require you to drive or operate equipment, which can make it easier for you to stay on top of your treatment.
The problem with some antidepressants is that they are known to have a serotonergic effect. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that influences mood, appetite, sleep, sex, and other things. When there is an overabundance of serotonin, it has been shown to cause depression. Because of this, doctors recommend that people start taking their medications with food, as Serotonin is released when food is eaten. This way, the levels of Serotonin in the brain are kept at normal levels.
If you are taking an SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, then you may experience a decrease in the amount of serotonin in your system. This type of medication is usually used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depression, or social anxiety. Many times, people who take these drugs for a long period of time are able to lessen the effects. However, this can only happen if the levels of serotonin are lowered by as much as forty percent.
Newer antidepressants on the market include fluoxetine and paroxetine. These drugs increase the amount of serotonin in the body, but they do not affect its levels as much. However, people who are being treated for depression or those who just want to lessen the side effects of their medication may choose to go with these options. One of the problems with fluoxetine and paroxetine is that they tend to be habit-forming, meaning that users may be unable to wean themselves from their medication. This may also mean that people need to take their medication more frequently than they would like.
