Antidepressants

Unknown / Multiple | Antidepressants (Medication)

Desc:

Antidepressants are a type of medication used to treat depression. They can also be used to treat a number of other conditions. Other conditions that can be treated using antidepressants include obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder , post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is thought that antidepressants work by changing the levels of a group of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine can improve mood and emotion though how and why is not fully understood.

While antidepressants treat the symptoms of depression, they do not necessarily address its causes. This is why they are usually used in combination with therapy to treat moderate to severe depression or other mental health conditions. ...

Side Effect:

Common side effects include:nausea, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, decreased sex drive, dizziness, weight gain, tremors, sweating, sleepiness or fatigue, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, headaches...

Precaution:

Anyone who takes antidepressants can experience unpleasant or dangerous side effects. But certain individuals are at a higher risk:

Studies show that SSRI medications may increase the risk for falls, fractures, and bone loss in older adults.

The use of SSRI's late in pregnancy may lead to short-term withdrawal symptoms in newborns after delivery. Typical symptoms include tremor, restlessness, mild respiratory problems, and weak cry.

People who may have Bipolar Disorder:the treatment for bipolar depression is different than for regular depression. In fact, antidepressants can actually make bipolar disorder worse or trigger a manic episode. ...