Depression can feel like an unshakeable weight on your shoulders, making everyday life difficult, exhausting, and overwhelming. If you’re struggling with sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, or just a sense of heaviness you can't explain, you’re not alone.
In the year 2021, about 21 million Americans were diagnosed with depression stemming from different human experiences. And about 40-60% of them were treated with antidepressants. Quite a common approach to treat depression and other mental health issues, antidepressant medications work by increasing neurotransmitters in the human brain. If you’ve heard about them but feel unsure, this article will explain how these medications work and how they can help you regain control over your life.
What are Antidepressant Medications?
Antidepressant medications are one of the depression treatment options that are often prescribed for individuals who are experiencing moderate to severe depression. They work by balancing the chemicals in your brain, neurotransmitters, that affect your mood and emotions.
It’s important to note that antidepressants are not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for someone else may not work for you, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find the right medication.
How Do Antidepressants Work?
Your brain is an intricate network of chemicals and pathways, all working together to help you feel, think, and function. When depression sets in, some of these pathways can get blocked or disrupted. The main chemicals that antidepressants target are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Antidepressants help by either boosting the levels of these neurotransmitters or by making it easier for them to work more effectively in your brain. When these chemicals are balanced, you can feel more like yourself again- less anxious, more positive, and more able to enjoy life’s moments.
Types of Antidepressant Medications
There are different types of antidepressants, and each one works in its unique way. Here are some of the most common types your doctor may discuss with you:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are often the first type of antidepressant prescribed. Common SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs, like SSRIs, target serotonin but also focus on another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine plays a key role in regulating your energy levels and attention span. Common SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
- Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs): NDRIs, like bupropion (Wellbutrin), target norepinephrine and dopamine, neurotransmitters that affect motivation and pleasure. Suppose you’re experiencing low energy or lack interest in daily activities. In that case, an NDRI might be prescribed to help stimulate these chemicals, giving you more drive and enthusiasm for life.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): These are an older class of antidepressants, and while they’re effective, they often come with more side effects than SSRIs or SNRIs. They’re typically prescribed when other medications haven’t worked.
How Do Antidepressants Make You Feel?
If you’re considering antidepressants, you might wonder what they’ll feel like once you start taking them. Unlike painkillers that have an almost immediate effect, antidepressants take time. You might not notice significant changes for several weeks, but that doesn’t mean they’re not working.
Initially, you might experience side effects like nausea, headaches, or trouble sleeping, but these often diminish over time. You won’t wake up one morning feeling miraculously better, but over time, the weight of depression may begin to lift.
Why Antidepressants Might Be Right for You
Deciding whether antidepressants are right for you can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with the fog of depression. But if you’ve been struggling to find relief, these medications could help you.
What You Should Know Before Starting
If you’re thinking about starting antidepressant treatment, here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Patience is important: Antidepressants take time to work, often 4-6 weeks before you see their full effects.
- Side effects are common but manageable: Most side effects are temporary and can be managed with the help of your doctor.
- They work best with therapy: Combining antidepressants with psychotherapy can lead to better long-term results.
- Stopping suddenly can be harmful: If you decide to stop taking antidepressants, always do so under your doctor’s supervision to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling lost, trapped, or weighed down by depression, antidepressant medications might offer you the help you need to regain control of your life. You don’t have to do this alone. With the right support from your doctor and the treatment, you can start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
