What you need to know about antidepressants

Do you feel unhappy, bored, and constantly sad? Maybe your doctor has told you that you have depression and that you need to start taking medication for it. Or maybe you have heard the word "antidepressants" somewhere and are afraid or skeptical about it. Today, we will talk about the medications that are given to control this depression, namely antidepressants, in a very simple way that you can understand.

First of all, what is depression?

Simply put, depression is a mood disorder . It is a long-term feeling of sadness and hopelessness. You may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. It can also affect your thinking, memory, appetite, and sleep.

There are different types of depression. For example:

• Clinical depression / Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar depression
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Seasonal depression

Antidepressants are one treatment that can help control these symptoms. But remember, these medications alone may not completely cure the underlying cause of the illness. That's why doctors often recommend psychotherapy or talk therapy along with these medications.

Is this medicine only used for depression?

No. Despite the name antidepressant, these medications are used to treat a number of other mental and physical conditions. Think about it, it's like a doctor sometimes giving you the same medicine for a fever as for a body ache.

How does this medicine work?

Simply put, there are chemical messengers in our brains that control things like our mood and behavior. We call these neurotransmitters . Serotonin and norepinephrine are two of the main ones.

In conditions like depression, there is an imbalance in the activity of these chemical messengers. Antidepressants work by rebalancing the levels of these chemical messengers and improving communication between brain cells. This helps to control your mood and symptoms.

Things to be careful about when using medication

If your doctor prescribes an antidepressant for you, they will start you on the lowest possible dose. Over time, the dose will be adjusted as needed based on your symptoms.

Never stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without your doctor's advice. It is important to take the medicine for the full prescribed period, even if you feel better. It is usually recommended to continue taking the medicine for at least 6 months after your symptoms have improved. This will help prevent the disease from coming back.

What happens if you stop taking the medication suddenly?

If you take a medication for more than 6 weeks and then stop suddenly, you may experience some unpleasant symptoms. We call this Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome . These are the symptoms:

• Fever-like symptoms (chest pain, fatigue, sweating)
• Insomnia
• Nausea and dizziness
• Electric shock-like sensations in the body
• Anxiety, anger

These symptoms usually go away within a week or two. However, the best way to avoid this discomfort is to taper off the medication as directed by your doctor.

Side effects that many people fear

Like any medication, antidepressants can have some side effects. However, these are usually mild and go away after a few days of taking the medication and the body gets used to it.

Will these medications really make you grow?

This is a question that many people ask. Some antidepressants can cause some weight gain. But there are other reasons for weight gain as well. Consider:

• When depressed, some people lose their appetite and lose weight. When they take medication, they feel better and their appetite returns to normal, but they may gain weight.
• As we age, our weight usually increases a little.

If you're worried about this, talk to your doctor about it. The mental relief you get from medication may be worth more than a little weight gain.

Severe complications that require immediate attention

These are very rare, meaning they are rarely seen. But it is very important to be aware of this.

1. Serotonin Syndrome

This happens when the body's chemical serotonin becomes too high. This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. This risk can be especially high when antidepressants are taken with certain other medications (such as some migraine medications). Symptoms:

• Restlessness, anxiety
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure
• Shivering, excessive sweating, fever
• Muscle tightness or twitching
• In severe cases, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness

2. Increased suicidal thoughts

Suicidal thoughts may increase, especially in young people under the age of 25, when starting the medication or when the dosage is changed. Although this is very rare, it is important for parents and patients to be aware of this. If you or your child have such thoughts, talk to your doctor immediately.

3. Overdose

Like any medicine, these can be dangerous if taken in excess. Therefore, always take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. Keep the medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children. If you suspect that someone has taken an overdose, seek medical advice immediately. If necessary, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .

Depression, antidepressants, mental health, depression, anxiety, SSRI, serotonin syndrome, doctor