Depression is the most common mental illness these days. If you have been diagnosed with depression, your doctor must have prescribed you antidepressants, and you may know nothing about them. Most depression treatment plans comprise these medications, and a variety of antidepressants are available to treat different levels of depression.

• Combining antidepressants with therapy boosts treatment success.
• Some antidepressants also treat migraines and chronic pain.
• Microdosed ketamine shows promise for severe depression.
• Stopping antidepressants abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Genetic testing helps match antidepressants to individuals.
• Some antidepressants may trigger vivid or lucid dreams.
• Chronic stress can delay antidepressant effects.

 Let’s find out how they work and how many types are present today.

Suppose you are experiencing depression and thinking to seek medical help. In that case, antidepressants are something most doctors recommend to their patients. These pills work by altering the chemicals in our brain, known as neurotransmitters, and they affect our emotions and mood. 

With this alteration, your mood will noticeably improve. You will feel fresh and active. It is also helpful in countering insomnia, increasing your appetite, and improving your focus.

These antidepressants allow you to kick-start your day in a good mood and give you a healthy boost to avoid depression. But not all antidepressants are the same.

Read below and learn about the different types present today. 

Antidepressants are classified into five major types and some of them are not commonly used. Each class has its own benefits, use, and side effects. You must never take an antidepressant without your doctor’s permission. Your doctor prescribes antidepressants depending on your symptoms and disorders. 

The different antidepressants types are:

SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and is one of the most common antidepressants available today. SSRIs are very helpful when treating depression as they block the absorption of serotonin and reuptake of this neurotransmitter in the brain. This allows the brain cells to receive messages and send signals easily, improving your mood.

 SSRIs antidepressants have very few side effects, which makes them even better. Apart from treating depression, SSRIs also treat OCD, GAD, and eating disorders and help quicker recovery after stroke. 

SSRIs are used to treat a variety of conditions.

Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are another type of antidepressants that are used in treating depression. These antidepressants increase the level of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain since these two molecules stabilize your mood. 

SNRIs are also assigned to anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, and menopausal symptoms. Some of these antidepressants are also used for treating chronic pain.

TCAs are called Tricyclic Antidepressants, and they are named because of their chemical structure. These antidepressants are used in treating depression and anxiety and also help treat fibromyalgia and chronic pain. 

These medicines block the absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin in the nerve cells to keep you stress-free.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors were one of the first types of antidepressants developed in the 1950s. These antidepressants work by inhibiting the action of an enzyme known as monoamine oxidase, whose primary function is to break down monoamines. 

Since these pills block this function, more neurotransmitters are left in the body, and your mood remains regulated. 

However, these antidepressants are not very common because if they are not taken with proper precautions, then tyramine levels in the body can rise and increase blood pressure. 

There are other antidepressant medications present, and these drugs do not fall into any of the typical classes mentioned above. Due to this reason, these are known as atypical medications, and depending on what your condition requires, your doctor may prescribe such medicines to you. 

One such medication is Symbyax, and it is used in the treatment of major depression and also bipolar disorder if any of the above antidepressants don’t work. 

If your doctor prescribes you antidepressants, then there is a high chance that they will work. Most antidepressants are effective, but to get the best results, you need to follow the tips mentioned below:

Once you have visited your doctor, you may see improvements. However, suppose you do not see any improvement. In that case, you do not need to worry because antidepressants take six weeks sometimes to work effectively. 

Some medications take even more time and so you need to stay patient while using these medicines. While treating depression, patience is the key to recovery.

When treating depression, it is crucial that you take antidepressants consistently and on time. You must not stop using or increase the dosage without informing your doctor because this can lead to severe side effects. 

Some antidepressants have severe withdrawal symptoms and quitting them without telling your doctor can worsen your condition. 

If you feel your depression symptoms are not improving with the antidepressant prescribed, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor may put you on another medication or prescribe you a second antidepressant as a combination medication. This will help effectively cure your disorder.

Depression is a prevalent mental health issue, and nowadays, it is no longer considered a taboo subject due to social media. There is no shame in relying on antidepressants to get through your day, nor is taking antidepressants supposed to be a secret. 

If you are struggling with depression, ensure you get the proper help you need, and there is no shame in talking to a friend or a close relative about your condition.