Taking medication for depression? Here are the things you need to know about the side effects!

If you are being treated for depression, your doctor may have prescribed you an antidepressant. These medications can help relieve your symptoms. Also, talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, can be a great help in this journey. But like any other medication, it can cause some side effects. But don't worry, most people tolerate this medication well.

What are the common side effects?

There are several types of antidepressants that doctors prescribe most often. For example, `(SSRIs)`, `(SNRIs)`, `(Tricyclic antidepressants)`, `(Atypical antidepressants)` and `(MAOIs)`. Each of these types can have its own side effects. Let's take a look at the most common ones.

But don't worry. Most of these side effects will go away as your body gets used to the medication. They usually subside within about two weeks, and some may go away in just a few days. However, things like sexual problems and weight gain may last a little longer.

Who gets these side effects?

This is a very personal thing. Even if you take the same medicine, the side effects you experience may be very different from those experienced by someone else. Some people may not experience any problems at all. There are several factors that can affect how your body responds to medicine:

• Other medications: If you are taking medications for other conditions, they may interact with this antidepressant. This may increase the side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the antidepressant. Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including those you buy from the pharmacy).
• Age: Older patients are generally more likely to experience side effects than younger people.
• Genes: Your genes determine how quickly your body absorbs medications. Simply put, the slower your body absorbs medications, the more likely you are to experience side effects.
• Type of medication: Older medications, such as ``Tricyclic antidepressants'' and ``MAOIs'', tend to have more side effects than newer medications, such as ``SSRIs'' and ``SNRIs''.

Antidepressant medication and suicidal thoughts

This is a very sensitive topic. The FDA has mandated that antidepressant pill packages include a black box warning that children, adolescents, and young adults under the age of 25 may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Despite this warning, it's not possible to say that there is a "definite link" between these medications and suicidal thoughts. In fact, research has shown that suicide rates have decreased as antidepressant use has increased.

If someone is having suicidal thoughts, it is possible to recognize the warning signs early.

In children and young children, also watch for signs such as restlessness, impulsive behavior, and saying things like "the family would be better off without me." If you think your child or loved one is at risk of harming themselves, seek emergency help immediately. If necessary, go directly to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).

How to deal with specific side effects?

When it comes to managing side effects, the first piece of advice is to "just be patient." Most of the time, these will go away as your body adjusts. If they don't, you can try these things.

Sexual problems

Decreased sexual desire and difficulty achieving orgasm are common side effects of this medication. "Unfortunately, this is why some people stop taking even a medication that works well," doctors say. If you have these problems, talk to your doctor about them. They may be able to lower your dose or switch you to a medication that has fewer sexual side effects. Sometimes, another medication, such as Bupropion or Sildenafil, can help.

Weight gain

This is also a problem for many people. This can be controlled by avoiding foods high in sodium (salt), sugary drinks, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Also, weight gain can sometimes be due to other reasons, such as a thyroid problem. So it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about this as well.

Stomach problems

If you have any discomfort, such as nausea, ask your doctor whether you should take the medicine with food or separately. Eating small meals several times a day can help reduce stomach pain and digestive problems.

Sleep problems

While some medications can make you sleepy, others can make you sleepy all day long. The first thing to consider here is when to take the medication. For example, if you take your medication in the morning and it makes you sleepy all day long, talk to your doctor about whether you can take it at night. If a medication you take at night doesn't help you sleep, you can switch it to the morning. If that doesn't work, it's important to check for other conditions, such as sleep apnea.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping medication!

This is the most important thing. Never stop taking the medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. If you do, you may experience discomfort in your body. Symptoms such as headache and fever (discontinuation syndrome) may occur.

What's even more dangerous is that if you stop taking the medication, your depression symptoms may return. You may feel better now, but it's because of the medication. Therefore, it's important to continue taking the medication to prevent relapse.

If the side effects are unbearable, talk to your doctor about it. It may take some time to find the right medication for you. But don't give up.