| According to estimates, 10% of Americans suffer from a depressive disorder. This type of mental health problems includes major depression. Common symptoms of major depression are the following:
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Crying without reason "no reason"
- Feeling slowed down or feeling displeased and unable to sit still
- Losing or gaining weight
- Thoughts about death or suicide
- Trouble making daily decisions
- Problems sleeping, in particular in the early morning or waiting to sleep all the time
- Feeling worn out all the time
Some people having depression may also have headaches, other aches and pains, digestive problems or problems with sex. Older people who feel blue may also feel confused or have trouble understanding simple requests.
Depression is considered to be connected with a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it difficult for cells to communicate with one another.
Depression can be triggered by nerve-racking events, such as the death of somebody you love, a breakup or job loss. But it can also come unexpectedly. Certain medications, drugs and alcohol, can lead to depression.
Depression can be treated with medications, or special form of counseling called psychotherapy, or with both. Antidepressants are medications used to help people who have depression. Most people with depression get better with treatment that includes these medications.
Antidepressants work by increasing the activity of chemicals in our brain called neurotransmitters. Antidepressants help make the chemicals more available to the brain.
Commonly, antidepressants are used at least for 6-12 months. In some cases, patients and their doctors may conclude that antidepressants are needed for a longer span.
At times medicines result in adverse side effects. They may range from patient to patient and from medicine to medicine. For instance, when you first begin your antidepressant you may feel worn out, have trouble sleeping or feel sick to your stomach. These side effects typcally disappear after a while.
Even after 12 months of treatment, there is still about a 10% probability of depression returning as soon as treatment is over. Some people take an antidepressant for a few years. |
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