Antidepressants can be used for a number of conditions, including:
Research suggests that after three months of treatment with anti-depressants, approximately 50%-65% people with moderately severe depression will be significantly improved.
Categories of anti-depressant:
SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
SNRIs (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)
Tricyclics and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) which are less commonly used
Antidepressant drugs don’t cause the addictions that are reported as associated with tranquilisers, alcohol or nicotine. They don’t act quickly, you don’t
Withdrawal – can be associated with;
Stomach upsets, Flu like symptoms, Anxiety,Dizziness,Vivid dreams, electric shock type feelings.
Generally accepted medical advice is to gradually reduce dosage rather than stopping suddenly.
Research evidence points to increased suicidal thoughts (although not actual suicidal acts) and other side effects in younger people taking SSRIs.AS a result – apart from fluoxetine – SSRIs are not licensed in the UK for use in people under 18.
Interestingly statistically speaking most depressions improve after about eight months and if a person has 2 or more attacks of depression then treatment should be continued for at least two years.
Stopping medication before the depression has fully improved, it’s more likely to return. It’s recommended that you continue taking them for at least six months after the start of medication start.
Antidepressants don’t necessarily treat the cause of the depression so it’s worth thinking about what the causes may be through counselling and psychotherapy.
Recent studies have suggested that over a period of a year, many talking treatments are as effective as antidepressants, particularly in mild to moderate depression, although it’s generally accepted that antidepressants work faster. Some studies suggest it’s best to combine antidepressants and psychotherapy.
See:
List of anti-depressants (Wikipedia)
