Some depressions are heavier some are lighter, some make you sleep more, some less. This would go on. The spectrum of depression goes from one wall to another. It is hard to put a pin somewhere or separate into distinct categories.
They have both a neurobiological side as well as a psychological side.
While I am not the biggest master of neurobiology, I'm trying to explain it in the best possible way.
Neurobiology
In our brains, the cells are called neurons and there are neurotransmitters that transmit the required chemicals to the neurons. Keep in mind that these transmissions are essential for the brain to function. Most medications work on the transmitters. In case of depression, we focus on chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
The Monoamine Deficiency Theory states that in case of depression at least one of those chemicals is seriously low. It is called a monoamine deficiency theory because all of those three chemicals are monoamine.
Norepinephrine deficiency is linked to anxiety and short attention span.
Serotonin is typically responsible for obsessions and compulsions.
Dopamine is linked to pleasure, attention and motivation.
There are theories that serotonin deficiency could be responsible for the decline of the other two.
Now I know I wrote an unspecified acronym in my first entry called SSRI, otherwise known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They work in a scenario of the neurotransmitters being absorbed in the synapses by limiting or stopping/pausing the intake of other neurotransmitters by prioritizing serotonin, thus the uptake.
Other antidepressants are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and trycyclics, however, these are less likely to be prescribed and thus less advanced.
Now I know I wrote an unspecified acronym in my first entry called SSRI, otherwise known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They work in a scenario of the neurotransmitters being absorbed in the synapses by limiting or stopping/pausing the intake of other neurotransmitters by prioritizing serotonin, thus the uptake.
Other antidepressants are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and trycyclics, however, these are less likely to be prescribed and thus less advanced.
Psychology
Although there is nothing psychological about medicinal drugs, there is a set of values that come with it. We have heard of people, who brag about never being sick. It often comes at the expense of strong mental health too. A human's mind is more powerful than most of us can realize. For example, you are capable of convincing your body is sick or healthy, to some extent. Maybe not as directly, but in smaller steps. If the attitude during a treatment stays negative and the patient refuses to testify a positive outcome, it is less likely to occur.
Another thing to mention is the placebo effect, meaning the medicine does not actually have the chemical build it suggests on the box and instead it is just something in the form of a pill. There's been reported multiple cases of also placebo effects, and those can be just as powerful even when the patient is aware of the medicine being a placebo. Your mind is able to convince your body of a lot of things, that being one of them.
Further on the psychological side, antidepressants rarely work alone. Just because they pick up the serotonin intake, doesn't mean the brain is able to locate serotonin. That job is left to therapy and the social environment. Therapy is to set the mind to focus on the locating of serotonin, such as finding new hobbies, picking up old, analyzing self and feeling of achievement. The last one being the most important one of all, because setting minor goals and achieving them allows the brain to grant itself a dose of dopamine and serotonin. Task-reward situation.
Antidepressants do not change your personality or beliefs. If they affect your mindset in daily life and in a negative way, please consult either a pharmacist or your doctor at the earliest convenience.
I must say that I was initially prescribed SSRIs that had a side effect on me, making me constantly frustrated and that continued after the trial period of 2 weeks, thus we changed my medical plan.
- Antidepressants will make you gain weight.
This is partially true, but not in every case. Every medication has its side effects and so do SSRIs. While some may make you gain weight, the others might make you lose, but there are plenty of antidepressants that won't affect your weight whatsoever. They should not all be generalized.
- They are addictive.
In fact, they are not. Antidepressants, however, usually have a timestamp from around 6 to 9 months. Around the time while a human might become immune and will be able to get by themselves. Ending an antidepressant treatment is similar to many other treatments. So as the intake gradually increases, so does it decrease around the time of finishing the treatment.
- They are a lazy shortcut.
And no. Antidepressants aren't "happy pills", they are regulators of existing emotions. Those "happy pills" create a reward situation in which unnecessarily large amounts of dopamine-like chemicals are released and usually the following day, the relapsing into normalcy can lead to a day or a week-long depression since the gap is just that big. As for antidepressants, they are unfortunately the last resort for many people. It is also important to remember that there is no way "out" of depression, there is only a way to limit it since it is likely to revisit but perhaps in shorter spans.
- Antidepressants have horrible side effects.
If that is the case, then you have been misdiagnosed of clinical depression OR you need a different kind of medication. While there are so many options of antidepressants out there, it is also easy to end up on the wrong end, but that shouldn't discourage the patient. Just because one medication doesn't work, doesn't mean other won't either!
More info:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/top-5-most-common-myths-about-taking-antidepressants/
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/march-2019/myths-about-antidepressants.aspx
Examples of antidepressants and more info on them:
https://www.medicinenet.com/antidepressants/article.htm#list_of_the_types_of_antidepressants
Logging off.
Another thing to mention is the placebo effect, meaning the medicine does not actually have the chemical build it suggests on the box and instead it is just something in the form of a pill. There's been reported multiple cases of also placebo effects, and those can be just as powerful even when the patient is aware of the medicine being a placebo. Your mind is able to convince your body of a lot of things, that being one of them.
Further on the psychological side, antidepressants rarely work alone. Just because they pick up the serotonin intake, doesn't mean the brain is able to locate serotonin. That job is left to therapy and the social environment. Therapy is to set the mind to focus on the locating of serotonin, such as finding new hobbies, picking up old, analyzing self and feeling of achievement. The last one being the most important one of all, because setting minor goals and achieving them allows the brain to grant itself a dose of dopamine and serotonin. Task-reward situation.
Treatment
It is important to stick to the medical plan drafted by your doctor or your psychiatrist!
For most antidepressants out there, the treatment begins with smaller doses and will gradually increase to the required amount. It is to prevent immediate strong reactions to medicine.
The first week or two are the experimental weeks. Highly unlikely that the effect can be seen immediately and might even make the depressive episode worse. However, it will pick itself up later on and is expected to show some results after the experimental period. The experimental weeks also mean the peak of the side effects, where they are expected. If they are stronger than expected and cause real difficulty, the treatment should be stopped immediately after a consultation with your doctor. The same applies if the side effects continue or enhance after a week or two.
Most antidepressants require an intake before bed. Those are the ones that regulate sleep better and provide that the patient will receive a healthier rest. Usually prescribed to patients with insomnia.
Others require an intake in the morning. Those supply the patient with more energy throughout the day and are also more likely to cause a side effect of increased or a "lifted" sense. They are meant for a morning intake due to the fact that they are more likely to keep you awake. Thus being prescribed to patients who are more sleepy than others.
Antidepressants and alcohol and other drugs
Antidepressants should and in most cases must not be consumed with alcohol. Alcohol and other drugs are depressants. They insert large amounts of fabricated or unnatural dopamine-like chemicals in the circuits. However, at the end of the cycle, the downfall from the lifted mood to normalcy causes depression. The shortage of supply is that drastic. On top of that, it defeats the purpose of antidepressants.
While some say it is not recommended to consume alcohol, I personally find it explicitly forbidden as it decreases the effect of meds and slows or even reverses the recovery.
picture found: https://www.bostoneveningtherapy.com/depression/
Myths
- Antidepressants change your personality.Antidepressants do not change your personality or beliefs. If they affect your mindset in daily life and in a negative way, please consult either a pharmacist or your doctor at the earliest convenience.
I must say that I was initially prescribed SSRIs that had a side effect on me, making me constantly frustrated and that continued after the trial period of 2 weeks, thus we changed my medical plan.
- Antidepressants will make you gain weight.
This is partially true, but not in every case. Every medication has its side effects and so do SSRIs. While some may make you gain weight, the others might make you lose, but there are plenty of antidepressants that won't affect your weight whatsoever. They should not all be generalized.
- They are addictive.
In fact, they are not. Antidepressants, however, usually have a timestamp from around 6 to 9 months. Around the time while a human might become immune and will be able to get by themselves. Ending an antidepressant treatment is similar to many other treatments. So as the intake gradually increases, so does it decrease around the time of finishing the treatment.
- They are a lazy shortcut.
And no. Antidepressants aren't "happy pills", they are regulators of existing emotions. Those "happy pills" create a reward situation in which unnecessarily large amounts of dopamine-like chemicals are released and usually the following day, the relapsing into normalcy can lead to a day or a week-long depression since the gap is just that big. As for antidepressants, they are unfortunately the last resort for many people. It is also important to remember that there is no way "out" of depression, there is only a way to limit it since it is likely to revisit but perhaps in shorter spans.
- Antidepressants have horrible side effects.
If that is the case, then you have been misdiagnosed of clinical depression OR you need a different kind of medication. While there are so many options of antidepressants out there, it is also easy to end up on the wrong end, but that shouldn't discourage the patient. Just because one medication doesn't work, doesn't mean other won't either!
More info:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/top-5-most-common-myths-about-taking-antidepressants/
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/march-2019/myths-about-antidepressants.aspx
Examples of antidepressants and more info on them:
https://www.medicinenet.com/antidepressants/article.htm#list_of_the_types_of_antidepressants
Logging off.
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