Depression Information & Discounts

How can I manage depression?

Depression will affect an individual’s everyday routine and activities. If symptoms of depression persist after a couple of weeks, and it’s starting to affect your social, work and family life, the individual should visit a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. (Read about symptoms for depression in “symptoms” section.) The sooner depression can be treated, the more effective the treatment is. It is preferable to visit a medical doctor first to be sure to rule out any physical causes of depression such as hormonal or thyroid disorder. Then schedule an appointment with a mental health specialist.

Depression Medication or Antidepressants

Your medical health professional will most likely prescribe depression medication or pills as treatment. There are several types of anti-depressants. (See “types of medication” to read about the different types of anti-depressants.) Antidepressants work on the neurotransmitters of the brain, especially serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, in order to regulate mood. Your doctor or health care professional will recommend the best anti-depression medication for you.  All depression medication must be taken for at least 4-6 weeks to be able to judge its full effect.

Psychotherapy

Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal behavioral therapy (IBT) may be used and are effective at treating depression. CBT helps patients to recognize and restructure their thought processes. Patients with depression may perceive most of their environment and interactions in a negative way. CBT helps patients to reverse these perceptions and see things in a positive and realistic light. CBT may also help patients to recognize and change behaviors that make depression worse. IBT helps people to understand and deal with troubled relationships that may cause depression or worsen it. Psychotherapy and medication in combination can be the best treatment for depression.

What are the different types of depression medication or antidepressants?

SSRIs & SSNIs

SSRIs & SSNIs are the newest anti-depressant medications. SSRIs or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, OCD and some eating disorders. They work by increasing the level of serotonin available in the synaptic gap in the brain. SSNIs or serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors work like SSRIs, but additionally raise the level of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in the brain. SSNIs are also used to treat ADHD. SSRIs and SSNIs are considered to be the best depression medication in some cases, as they have less severe side effects than other antidepressants. Side effects of SSNIs include: loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of libido, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of sleep, headaches and urinary retention.

Tricyclics

The prescription of tricyclics or TCAs has been largely replaced by SSRIs and SSNIs as a depression medication due to less severe side effects. TCAs are antidepressants that are also used to treat anxiety, smoking addiction, migraines, OCD and PTSD among others. Tricyclics work similarly to SSRIs and SSNIs by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine synaptic levels in the brain. TCAs also inhibit other receptors in the brain such as sigma, histamine, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. They also potentially inhibit sodium channels and calcium channels. This is why TCAs have higher occurrences of side effects and overdoses. Side effects include dry mouth, dry nose, blurred vision, constipation, memory impairment, dizziness, sweating and irregular heart rate, among others.

MAOIs

MAOIs are an anti-depression medication usually used to treat depression as a last resort due to their potentially fatal interactions with other medications and certain foods. They are also used to treat Parkinson’s Disease and other disorders. MAOIs work by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase enzymes, therefore preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters and increasing their availability in the brain. Monoamine neurotransmitters include serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenethylamine and dopamine. MAOIs can be an extremely costly anti-depressant drug.  Patients taking MAOIs should avoid cheese and red wine. MAOIs can cause severe and potentially fatal side effects when they interact with certain foods, medication and SSRIs.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Atypical antipsychotic drugs or second generation antipsychotics are anti-depression medications that act on the dopamine receptors in the brain to help calm the intensity of acute manic episodes or severe depression. They are also used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, dementia and anxiety. Side effects of atypical antipsychotics vary depending on the drug. 

What are the symptoms of depression?

Symptoms of depression include severe feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt, irritability and worthlessness. An individual with depression may also experience loss of appetite, insomnia and loss of energy. Depression affects a person’s ability to complete everyday activities. They may miss several days of work and lose interest in normally pleasurable activities. They may have trouble making decisions or concentrating. Thoughts of suicide may be present.