|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Medicines for Depression & Stress

Depression is a medical condition that causes physical as well as emotional problems. Its cause is not known but it is believed to be the result of imbalances of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) which are chemicals in your brain that affect your mood. Symptoms may include crying spells, irritability, weight loss or gain, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts. Stress is your psychological and physical reaction to overwhelming demands. When you are under stress, your body's normal response to a perceived threat is the release of an excessive amount of hormones.

  1. SSRI Antidepressants

    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work to inhibit the reabsorption of serotonin in your brain cells. Examples of SSRIs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil and Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Side effects of this type of antidepressant may include nausea, dry mouth, headache, diarrhea, rash, restlessness, weight gain, insomnia, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction.

    TCA Antidepressants

    • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) also block the reabsorption of serotonin, as well as dopamine to a lesser degree. The TCAs that have been approved by the FDA include amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), amoxapine, imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), trimipramine (Surmontil) and protriptyline (Vivactil). Side effects of TCAs may include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, disorientation, headache, increased heart rate, blurred vision, increased appetite, nausea, weight gain and sexual dysfunction.

    MAOI Antidepressants

    • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by stopping the metabolization of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. The result is a high level of these neurotransmitters, which elevates your mood. MAOIs that are approved by the FDA include phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Emsam) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Side effects of MAOIs may include nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, muscle twitching, headache, increased appetite, weight gain, blurred vision and sexual dysfunction.

    Alternative Medicine

    • Hyperium perforatum, commonly known as St. John's Wort, is an herb that may be taken as a supplement to treat depression. Another supplement is SAM-e, which is synthetic S-adenosyl-methionine, a chemical that is found naturally in your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, although these are not approved by the FDA in the United States, they are often used to treat depression in Europe. Omega-3 fatty acids, found primarily in salmon, herring and mackerel, are considered to be helpful for depression.

    Stress Medications

    • Stress may be treated with some of the same medications used to treat depression, particularly the SSRIs. Sedatives, or tranquilizers, may also be prescribed. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium). These drugs repress your brain activity to slow down and calm your body. Side effects may include sleepiness, slurred speech, impaired judgement and slower reflexes.

    Warning

    • If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek medical care. Depression can disrupt normal, everyday activities, and can hinder personal relationships. It may lead to suicide if left untreated. If you are on antidepressant medication, you should never stop taking it suddenly or without consulting a doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects.

Depression - Related Articles