Prescription Medications for Depression Treatment
Treatment for depression often includes a combination of prescription medication and psychotherapy. While some treatment methods help only in the short term, others can help establish coping skills that offer lifelong benefits.
Prescription Medications
Your healthcare provider may suggest antidepressants to help relieve symptoms and prevent their recurrence. Different types of antidepressants have different effects on the chemicals in your brain responsible for mood management, but they help you feel emotionally well and restore your ability to function in everyday life. They are also used to effectively reduce anxiety, restlessness, sleep problems, and suicidal thinking.
Research has shown that over the course of several weeks, prescription medication can be effective at treating symptoms related to moderate, severe, and chronic depression, but are less likely to do so in mild cases. However, these medications come with side effects, so it’s essential to discuss the pros and cons of antidepressants with your healthcare provider.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They are often used as first-line treatment for depression because they cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. Studies have shown that SSRIs are also effective at preventing relapse of MDD.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are another class of medications commonly prescribed to treat depression. They work by preventing or blocking the reuptake of both serotonin and noradrenaline, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain to help regulate mood and relieve depression.
Alternative Treatments
There is a wide array of alternative treatments for people seeking relief from depression, but these should never be started without consulting a healthcare provider. Some of these treatments, such as herbal remedies, can cause serious side effects and interact with antidepressants.
Dietary Supplements
Herbal supplements made from plants such as St. John’s Wort are largely unregulated, meaning you cannot ensure individual product safety or quality. However, studies comparing St. John’s Wort to SSRIs showed comparable results in efficacy and safety for treating mild to moderate forms of depression. St. John’s Wort has similar chemical properties to some SSRIs and works by increasing levels of serotonin. The risk of combining this supplement with other SSRIs is substantial, however.
Exercise and Stress and Relaxation Techniques
Exercise is a popular way to naturally improve moods, and its benefits are now commonly referred to as “the exercise effect.” Exercising works by increasing the body’s natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It has also been shown to have a positive impact on improving nerve cell connections in the hippocampus.
Lifestyle
While you should never try to treat or cure a mental disorder without the help of a qualified professional, there are many ways you can support your own recovery and improve your overall well-being if you are living with depression.
Conclusion
Depression treatment is not one size fits all. While your social network and support system can help, you should never rely on them or strangers on the Internet for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best depression treatment approach for you, including the pros and cons of each option. It can take a few tries to find the right approach to depression treatment, but with support from a trained professional, you can start feeling better and minimize the effects of depression on your everyday life.
FAQs
- What are the most common antidepressants prescribed for depression?
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- What are the most commonly prescribed SSRIs?
- Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline)
- What are the most commonly prescribed SNRIs?
- Cymbalta (duloxetine), Fetzima (levomilnacipran), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), and Effexor (venlafaxine)
- What are some alternative treatments for depression?
- Dietary supplements, exercise, stress and relaxation techniques, and lifestyle modifications
- What is the “exercise effect”?
- The natural improvement in moods resulting from regular exercise
