Depression Learning

Depression medications

Most likely the kind of depression that is going to have the most benefit from a treatment with depression medications is probably more then the common blues. It would be a condition that is long lasting for a period of more than two weeks and causes interference with the ability to perform daily tasks or to enjoy activities that you would have enjoyed in the past.

Antidepressant medications are usually prescribed if the depression is very serious, but sometimes a lighter dose for a shorter time can be helpful for milder depression. Although antidepressants are not stimulants, they can be used to take away or greatly reduce the symptoms of depression. This helps the person who is depressed to feel as they did before the onset of the depression.

Depression medications are also used by persons who suffer from anxiety disorders. The medication blocks the symptoms of the panic associated with the anxiety such as a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, terror, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and nausea. Persons suffering from certain phobias can also be treated with antidepressants to control the symptoms.

Someone suffering from depression may seem sad or unhappy and may not show any interest in things going on around them. They may not want to eat and could lose weight or just the opposite they could overeat and gain weight. Sleep patterns change with either to much or too little sleep, difficulty falling to sleep, restlessness during the night, or waking up very early in the morning. They may have feelings of worthlessness, or hopelessness, or extreme guilt. They may complain of having a lack of energy or a feeling of sluggishness and may complain that simple tasks are too difficult to complete. Persons who suffer from depression may cry easily and sometimes think about and even talk about committing suicide. Sometimes there can be psychotic symptoms, such as delusions that could be related to their depression.

Not everyone will have all the symptoms mentioned above but if they are suffering from depression they will at least have some of them. Depression can be either mild or severe based on the symptoms. Some people may only have one episode of depression while others have the episodes more often and they may last for years.

A doctor will prescribe the right depression medication based on the symptoms presented. Generally, improvement will not begin to show as soon as the depression medication is taken. As with most medications, it usually takes any where from one to three weeks before you notice a difference. Generally most symptoms will go away soon after starting the medication but sometimes some may take a little longer. Sometimes sleeping and eating patterns and energy levels return to normal or improve greatly long before the depression seems to lift. If there is very little change after about five six weeks then a different medication may be needed. This is something to be discussed with the doctor as different people react differently to certain medications and certain doses. There is usually no way to determine if the one medication works better then another, so several different medications may be tried before the right one is found. Usually treating the depression may be continued for several months or a year or longer.

The dosage that a person is given depends on several factors, the type of drug given, the age, the weight and the body chemistry. The dosage is usually started low and gradually is increased until the right effect is attained without any side effects that are bothersome.

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