What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are vital medication alongside psychotherapy for treatment of depression. They belong to psychopharmaceuticals, altering brain cell signalling to enhance vital neurocognitive functions.
For unipolar depression, antidepressants aim to alleviate symptoms like deep sadness, low drive, restlessness, and sleeplessness. They help to prevent relapses, restore social interaction and normal daily routine.
Antidepressants. When to use
Antidepressants are the main medication for treatment of depression. Depending on several criteria psychiatrist makes the decision to use antidepressants and chooses a particular antidepressant’s class.
Advantages of antidepressants
The effect of treatment with antidepressants appears much faster than psychotherapy. Therefore, antidepressants are the first choice for treatment of moderate and severe depression.
The choice of an antidepressant depends on several factors. There are specific types of antidepressants effective for particular set of symptoms.
The pharmacological treatment works fast and enables outpatient care and quick reintegration into work and society. They are the “door opener” to psychotherapy and other therapeutic options.
Disadvantages of antidepressants
Especially at the beginning treatment with antidepressants for depression side effects may occur. The most common side effects might be fatigue, nausea, sometimes weight gain or loss of libido.
The aim of the treatment is removing the symptoms while avoiding the side effects. Antidepressants don’t work for everyone; finding effective medication taks time and requires close cooperation with an experienced psychiatrist.
Antidepressants don’t address external factors causing depression like work stress, relationship issues, or crises but making the patients more stress resistant helping them to cope with the difficulties. The quick symptoms reduction wins time to apply psychotherapy and the necessary life changes.
The most efficient treatment for depression is the combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. The effects of psychotherapy appear gradually speeding up the recovery process and helping to reduce and finally stop the medication resulting in fewer relapses compared with purely medication-based treatment.
Avoiding side effects
In case of side effects, the patient should consult his psychiatrist. Side effects can be eliminated by dosage reduction or prescribing alternative medication.
Main groups of antidepressants in treatment for depression
In the meantime, there are several groups of antidepressants or predecessors of such groups such as single antidepressants with unique profiles. However, the most frequently used and until now the most effective antidepressants belong to the below listed groups:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
- Selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRI)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)
Treatment based on symptoms severity
Mild depression: first line therapy are low-intensity strategies such as psychotherapy, sport exercises and meditation.
Moderate and severe depression requires a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Those patients also benefit from integrative treatment methods such as meditation, art and music therapy or acupuncture.
During the treatment with antidepressants a regular psychiatric monitoring is vital to assess effects and prevent complications.
Supportive communication in treatment for depression
The adverse effects of antidepressants usually occur during the initial weeks. The patient and his relatives must be informed about possible side effects. Regular communication with the psychiatrist is essential.
Changing the dosage or self-discontinuation of antidepressants can lead to major complications. Discussing patient’s concerns with the psychiatrist provides insights improving the treatment outcome. For example, one of such concerns is the unjustified fear of dependence, despite the fact that antidepressants are not addictive.
Therapeutic alliance in treatment with antidepressants
Treatment with antidepressants for depression requires trusting doctor-patient relationship. Such therapeutic alliance influences treatment efficacy and is crucial for success. Personal factors, symptom severity, and past experiences shape treatment decisions.
Patient’s and his families’ input matters empowering collaborative approach and informed decisions in the treatment journey. This includes evaluation of treatment options, communicating worries and problems to the psychiatrist and psychologist.
In order to prevent relapse and to maintain well-being the antidepressants should be taken for at least four to nine months, often longer.