Antidepressants Essay

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There are a wide variety of antidepressants available for depression. Everyone will react differently to the medications. Antidepressants are known for “increasing levels of a group of chemicals in the brain” (United Kingdom). Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that can improve one’s mood and overall emotions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-adrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the main antidepressants available. SSRIs are generally prescribed and are preferred by doctors over other antidepressants. Prozac is the most common antidepressant in this category. “SNRIs are similar to SSRIs,” but SSRIs are more effective (United Kingdom). Older antidepressants that are rarely used today are TCAs and MAOIs. These types of medications are prescribed to patients who have a more severe form of depression. TCAs are often used in patients suffering from bipolar or obsessive compulsion disorder. Doctors and therapists need to closely watch patients who are prescribed to MAOIs. MAOIS are the strongest types of antidepressants and are only required when other antidepressants do not benefit a patient. Antidepressants cannot fix all aspects of an individual’s depression as fast as we would like. An important rule to follow is called the 6-6-9 rule. This rule is a guideline for patients beginning medications. For any antidepressant there is not a direct result noticed as soon as an individual consumes it. Six weeks are needed before an antidepressant can be completely effective, followed by six months of continuing the antidepressant for maximum results. All patients should “take an antidepressant for at least 9 months after your symptoms h...

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...roblems they may encounter.
Doctors or therapists first choice for an individual suffering from depression is not prescribing antidepressants. However, antidepressants can be very beneficial when simpler treatments do not work. Everyone encounters different hardships and challenges throughout life that impacts their physical and emotional views. Family and friends need to encourage their loved ones to get professional guidance if their level of depression does not improve. Being content at all times would be ideal but realistically that is not possible. Life is constantly changing and individuals can experience unfortunate situations. Depression is not a disorder we choose for ourselves. A patient undergoing depression should understand they are not alone. The first step when accepting depression is for patients to lean on family and friends for assistance.

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