Depression Medications

Depression medications are used in the biological approach to treatment because depression medications help correct chemical imbalances that some attribute to depression. Depression medications are called antidepressant drugs. These depression medications help regulate emotions and moods by controlling the corresponding neurotransmitters. Depression medications affect the serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels in different ways but essentially the more of these substances available to the nerve cells the more regulated the mood. Depression medications have been proven to work in about 70% of the patients who try them. This means of course that 30% of patients are not helped by depression medications. In addition, some older depression medications have unwanted side effects.

Older depression medications include monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclics, also known as heterocyclics have been used since the 1950's. For some, these depression medications have unwanted side effects including dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, anxiety, headaches and others. Newer depression medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are now prescribed more frequently because they have less reported side-effects.

Other newly developed depression medications include the brands Wellbutrin, Serzone, Remeron, Effexor and Desyrel which all work by also controlling serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Depression medications can work to counteract suicidal thoughts and feelings of helplessness for many depression sufferers.

In any discussion of depression medications, however, it must be pointed out that for some types of depression, studies have shown that psychotherapy alone has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants. Some studies even suggest that treating depression with psychotherapy alone is more effective in preventing depression relapses, that is, reoccurring bouts of depression. Depending on the type of health professional you seek treatment from, you may be informed of psychotherapy instead of depression medications or vice versa.

It is because of the diverse treatments available that National Referral takes the time to investigate programs that offer both the biological and psychological approach. Depression medications should be administered and supervised by an on staff medical doctor and psychotherapy can come in the form of individualized treatment, group therapy or both but always from a licensed professional.

You or a loved one has trouble with depression and you think that depression medications are the answer. This very well may be but maximize the odds of recovering by going with a treatment that addresses the mind and body symptoms of depression. Call National Referral today to find out which treatment programs offer full service benefits.