Before discussing medications, it is important to remember that each depression is individual, just as not all medications affect people in the same way. It is also important to emphasize that medicines should never be taken alone. Antidepressants can cause physical and psychological dependence. If you take medications for depression without consulting a doctor, you may lose the ability to cope with the disease without medications. Then, if you stop taking the drug or it loses its effectiveness (some medications lose their effectiveness over time), you may have a much more severe form of depression in the future. Always use other methods of controlling depression that are not related to pharmaceutical options.
No, it is not possible. Any attempt at self-treatment is destined for failure. You found the drug somewhere on the Internet. Then you bought it in a pharmacy without any prescription, looked at the instruction for use, started to take. No effect was obtained. Fortunately, if there won’t be observed any side effects
After such self-medicating, you go to a specialist, recognize that self-medication is useless, and then the problem appears. As a rule, after the chaotic drug administration, it is again impossible to prescribe it. It is explained by the fact when a person suffers from depression or anxiety disorder, very subtle biochemical mechanisms are violated, which are designed to maintain a certain level of anxiety, optimism, mood, and so on. That is, those matters that contribute to the functioning of the neuropsychic sphere of a person. This is a very complex system.
We damage this system unconsciously with the help of a potent drug. The biochemical system that controls the level of anxiety, mood, and so on is a complicated and not very stress-resistant system. The correct use of modern medications allows restoring the functionality of this system almost completely but only with the help of a professional specialist.
In severe forms of depression, these drugs act much more efficiently. This conclusion is reflected in the new policy of depression treatment, which in milder forms is not provided with medical preparations. Only in the later stages, these drugs become effective. Apparently, the complex mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect begins to operate only when the neurotransmitters of the brain are sufficiently noticeable.
It is clear why the notion of this drug cannot be replaced by “pills of happiness” with instant effect. Their action unfolds only with continuous, stable consumption of the drug. Only a few weeks later, as researchers assume, when a certain level of transmitters appears in brain cells, remodeling processes begin in the nerve contacts.
Watch the video about 4 common misconceptions about antidepressants:
Antidepressants give a good effect in the fight against many other dysfunctions. They are prescribed in the cases of inexplicable anxiety, groundless fear, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, and many other obsessive-compulsive disorders. They can also help to overcome chronic pain. Therefore, the question of the possible renaming of drugs is discussed among professionals as they may be prescribed not only for depression treatment.
| Celexa (Citalopram) | Celexa is an antidepressant, belonging to the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs). It has a pronounced ability to inhibit serotonin reuptake, does not have or has a very weak ability to bind to a variety of receptors, including gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA), H1-histamine, D1- and D2-dopamine; α1-, α2-, beta-adrenergic; benzodiazepine and m-cholinergic receptors. It causes the almost complete absence of such undesirable effects as negative chronotropic, dromotropic and inotropic effects, orthostatic hypotension, sedation and dry mouth. Celexa inhibits the isoenzyme CYP2D6 very slightly, and, therefore, practically does not interact with the drugs metabolized by this enzyme. Thus, side and toxic effects are manifested to a much lesser extent. |  |
| Geodon (Ziprasidone) | It is the antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drug. It has a high affinity for dopamine D2 receptors and a significantly more pronounced affinity for serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. It has a moderate affinity for neuronal carriers of serotonin and norepinephrine. |  |
| Effexor (Venlafaxine) | This medication is prescribed for depression treatment. It belongs to serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. The antidepressant effect of venlafaxine in humans is achieved due to increased neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. In preclinical studies, it has been shown that Effexor and its active metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODC), are potent inhibitors of reverse neuronal serotonin and noradrenaline uptake and weak inhibitors of dopamine reuptake. |  |
| Endep (Amitriptyline) | It is an antidepressant, nonselective inhibitor of the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. This remedy is prescribed for depression. It reduces anxiety, expressed emotional excitement, depressive manifestations. The principle of action against depression lies in an increase in the number of norepinephrine in the synapses and/or serotonin in the central nervous system (a decrease in their reabsorption). The accumulation of these neurotransmitters is observed due to the suppression of their reuptake by membranes of presynaptic neurons. |  |
| Paxil (Paroxetine) | This is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It has a bicyclic structure, different from the structure of other known anti-depression drugs. It has an anti-depressive and anxiolytic effect with a rather pronounced stimulating (activating) effect. The effect is associated with the ability of paroxetine to selectively block serotonin reuptake by the presynaptic membrane. The effect on m-cholinergic receptors, α- and β-adrenergic receptors is insignificant, which determines the extremely weak severity of the corresponding side effects. |  |
| Prozac (Fluoxetine) | Prozac refers to antidepressants that inhibit serotonin reuptake (serotonergic medications for depression, serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The drug is effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders – improves mood, reduces the feeling of tension, anxiety, fear. |  |
| Risnia (Risperidone) | Risnia is a new antipsychotic, which first became available in the form of long-acting injections (depot injection). The review analyzes the clinical effects of depot-risperidone in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. |  |
| Tofranil (Imipramine) | Tofranil is a tricyclic anti-depressive drug belonging to the dibenzazepine group. The drug is used mainly for the treatment of depression and urinary incontinence. In addition, imipramine is effective against the symptoms of panic disorder. |  |
| Wellbutrin (Bupropion) | It is an atypical antidepressant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels and blocks nicotinic receptors. Its effectiveness appears to be equal to that of the NRT. In cessation studies, headache, dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia were among the most frequent side effects. Premature discontinuation rates due to adverse effects in patients treated with bupropion typically range from 7 to 12% (compared to 5-10% for NRT) and were dose-related. Serious adverse effects are very rare observed. |  |
| Zoloft (Sertraline) | It is selectively blocking the reuptake of serotonin by the presynaptic membrane of brain neurons and platelets; slightly affects the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. With prolonged use, it reduces the number of adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system. |  |