Do you know about Antidepressants?

More About Depression

Basic Recall:

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self worth, disturbed sleep, or appetite, and poor concentration.(1)

It is a global health concern which is affecting more than 264 million people worldwide. According to World Health Organization, an estimated 4.4% of world population are likely to suffer from depression.

It is not just a feeling of sadness or grief, but a serious mental disorder which should be thoroughly diagnosed, and treated in a scientific approach. Efficacious and cost-effective treatments should be provided to every person suffering from depression. We should educate ourselves about depression, and support those who are suffering from depression or exposed to suffering of depression.

Why depression occurs?

It is a disease like many other ailments, occurs due to various reasons. A person having

negative experience in their childhood may suffer from depression. These negative experiences may be physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. It may also occur due to negligence, loss of some one dear, unstable family situations or some traumatic events.

It may also occur due to other health problems, genetic inheritance, taking of some medications, consuming unhealthy diets, and working in toxic environment.(2)

It’s important to Recognize Depression initially-

Some clear signs and symptoms of depression are;

· Depressed mood

· Reduced interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

· Loss of sexual desire

· Change in appetite

· Unintentional weight loss or gain

· Agitation

· Restlessness and pacing up and down

· Slowed movement and speech

· Fatigue or loss of energy

· Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

· Difficulty in thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

· Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or an attempt to suicide.(3)

How depression can diagnose?

Depression is not easy to diagnose. If you are feeling depressed and experiencing signs of depression, you should visit the concerned health professional. He/She will thoroughly observe and discuss your mental health on the basis of symptoms and some predesigned protocols. If it was diagnosed as depression, you will be turned on the treatment of depression on earliest, either though counselling sessions or medications.

How depression is treated?

If you are diagnosed with mild depression, it can be treated with time through self help by

taking exercise and improving life style. If there was mild to severe depression, then the option of talking therapy could be availed. Talking therapy includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and counselling. If it couldn’t work, then you will be kept on antidepressants or combination therapy, which includes both antidepressants and talking therapy. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy is also used in the treatment of depression in which brain stimulation occurs.(4)

Do you know about Antidepressants?

Drugs used in the treatment of depression or elevating mood in depressive illness are called antidepressants. One thing is common in all antidepressants is that they all affect monoaminergic transmission in brain in one way or the other. That is a chemical pathway for normal behavior.

All antidepressants are classified into four major groups.

1. Reversible Inhibitors of MAO-A (RIMAs): These include a) Meclobemide and b) Clorgyline

2. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) These include:

· NA + 5-HT re uptake inhibitors ie Imipramine, Clomipramine, Trimipramine, Doxepin, Amitriptyline, and Dotheipin.

· Predominantly NA re uptake inhibitors ie Desipramine, Nortryptiline, Amoxapine, and Reboxetine.

3. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These include; Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertraline, and Fluvoxamine.

4. Atypical Antidepressants: These include; Trazodone, Mianserin, Mirtazapine, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, Tianeptine, Amineptine, and Bupropion.(5)

Tailpiece; Depression is a serious mental illness, which needs a very much attention. We shouldn’t fell into myths or ignore this serious illness due to our low knowledge about it. It may occur in every age irrespective of an individual background. If you feel depressed, talk to someone you trust, look after your physical health, try to keep active, spend time in nature, practice self care and visit to a mental health professional as soon as possible, and show full compliance to treatment. For a healthy society, mental health of citizens is mandatory. We can’t dream of a healthy community without healthy minds.

References;

1) Depression; A global health concern by World Health Organization

2) www.mind.org.uk

3) www.medicalnewstoday.com What is depression and what can I do about it? By Laura Goldman

4) www.nhs.uk

5) Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, sixth edition by KD Tripathi, Chapter 33, page 439.

Writer: Kaleem Ullah Khan

kaleemullah697@gmail.com