5 Things To Remember If You Take Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medicines that help improve the symptoms of depression. There are several types, and their effects and care vary depending on which one is chosen. We tell you other things you should know about them.

Antidepressants are psychotropic medications used to treat depression. There are different types, so the doctor will prescribe the one that best suits each case. Also, if you suffer from this condition, you may have to try several before you find the one that works best.

The people that  face depression as a constant medical problem, they must take these drugs as part of their life. However, its intake should not exceed long periods of time. Next, we tell you what factors you should take into account when taking antidepressants.

5 things you should know about antidepressants

Medicines to treat depression help regulate certain chemicals that are used by the brain. However, its consumption should always be controlled by the professional who has prescribed this treatment.

Also, you need to consider side effects and risk of dependency. If you suffer from depression and you must start or are already under this type of treatment, you should be clear about some aspects that we detail below.

1. Antidepressants are not a cure

Depression is believed to be due to genetic, environmental, and psychological causes. It leads to deep feelings of sadness , hopelessness and pessimism. To combat major depression, the professional will resort to the use of antidepressants.

These, as we mentioned, are chemicals that act on the central nervous system and help regulate the state of mind.  Although these medications are a fundamental piece for the person to feel better and have a clearer vision of things, the truth is that it does not always mean the end of bad days.

In relation to this, a study by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care suggests that of a total of 100 people who took the medicine, around 40 to 60 noticed an improvement in their symptoms in a period of 6 to 8 weeks.

However, there is very encouraging data regarding its effectiveness in alleviating the symptoms of chronic depression and helping them go away completely. It is worth emphasizing that the results vary depending on each person.

2. Side effects may occur 

Being a drug like any other, antidepressants can also have side effects. However, these can vary depending on the type of medicine that is chosen. According to a publication by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation , when taking low doses of these drugs, the following effects may be experienced:

• Slow breathing
• Alterations in judgment.
• Slower reaction time.
• Increased risk of accident or injury.

On the other hand, consuming them in the highest doses can result in:

• Eat
• Death.
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness.
• Memory loss.
• Irregular or shallow breathing.
• Impaired judgment and coordination.

Some of these symptoms disappear in the first few weeks. However, it should be borne in mind that these side effects are more likely to aggravate if they are consumed in combination with alcoholic beverages or other drugs.

3. Trial and error before finding the right dose

As we’ve already mentioned, you may need to try more than one type of medicine to find the one that works best. In this regard, an article in the National Health Service indicates that, in general, the benefits begin to be felt in a period of between 1 to 4 weeks.

This is because brain chemistry varies from person to person. It is even possible that the same individual must change their dose over time or at certain times. For all this, Honest and constant communication with the doctor is vital.

4. Stop antidepressants gradually

Each type of antidepressant has specific characteristics and a specific way of acting in the body. Therefore, when stopping treatment, it is important to take this information into account. Also, the process should be done gradually to avoid later problems.

According to the article mentioned in the previous point, once the person is ready to stop taking the medicine, the doctor’s recommendation will be to reduce the dose for several weeks. This will help prevent any withdrawal symptoms.

5. The treatment can be complemented with some practices

The Yoga and meditation could be suitable options to maintain inner peace and complement the  antidepressant treatment. These practices are a good way to relax your mind and body and thus improve your lifestyle.

As for the benefits of yoga, another study from the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care suggests that relaxation techniques can help relieve mild to moderate depression. However, he stresses that they are not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Can depression be prevented?

In general, depression is not a preventable illness. In addition, in most cases, it is difficult to determine the specific cause for which it occurs, which makes it even more difficult to anticipate it. However, exercising regularly, getting plenty of rest, and reducing stress are some techniques that can be adopted to improve mood.