Depression is the number one mental disorder in the Western world with an ever-increasing number of patients. Fortunately, today there are many different types of depressive drugs and other treatments for depression that are effective and can increase or even cure depression. Among the methods of treatment of depressive drugs for depression, antidepressants are by far the most common. Given the wide lack of knowledge in many depressed patients about what drugs actually do and what to expect when someone takes them, these types of depressive drugs are reviewed.
In principle, four types of depressive drugs can be distinguished, although several drugs for the treatment of depression do not directly fall into one of four categories: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and reverse inhibitors serotonin / norepinephrine uptake (SNRI).
All of these types of depressive drugs have much in common with regard to their mode of action. They all work by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. MAOIs do this by inhibiting the enzymatic breakdown of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine through monoamine oxidase; TCAs prevent the absorption of various neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine; and SSRIs and SNRIs, as their name implies, selectively prevent reuptake of specific neurotransmitters. In addition, all mentioned treatments for depression can have serious side effects, although these side effects vary depending on the type of antidepressant. In addition, all types of depressive drugs begin to have a positive effect on a depressed patient only after a period of treatment from several days to several weeks. They must also be taken consistently for several months, and sometimes years before the level of the drug can be reduced or the patient no longer needs the medicine.
While the effect of antidepressants on neurotransmitter levels is well documented, how they actually work to reduce depression is not entirely known. Some theories claim that excessive levels of neurotransmitters induced by antidepressants over time lead to a down-regulation of neurotransmitter-receptors, which has a positive effect. Others believe that antidepressants also have positive long-term effects, such as neurogenesis or altered patterns of gene expression. Whatever the exact causes of the antidepressant effect of these types of depression, they obviously work in many, although, of course, not in all cases of depression, as has been demonstrated in various clinical studies. Therefore, along with psychotherapy, antidepressants are the treatment of depression of choice for most medical professionals. Unfortunately, all these types of depressive drugs are also known to cause tolerance, which leads to the need to increase the dosage or switch to another therapy for depression. In addition, the effects of withdrawal are often observed when the patient is removed from the medication, which leads to long-term dependence on the drugs used.
In general, the classic types of depression medications, of course, have their advantages. On the other hand, due to the possibility of side effects, induction of tolerance and the potential danger of establishing dependence on drugs, treatment of depression should not be easy and in no case without guidance and supervision from a medical professional. In addition, a depressed patient should, as a rule, work to improve their condition by taking medication. Healthy nutrition, potentially including nutritional supplements, sports and outdoor activities, and mental training, such as meditation, are all supportive treatments for depression that should be used to help a depressed patient to deal with depression.
