Antidepressants

Antidepressants are drugs that effectively alleviate all levels of depression – mild and severe. They are widely prescribed by physicians all over the world; in fact antidepressants are actually one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. They are also used to treat other conditions, such as anxiety and, because of the anti-inflammatory components in antidepressants, they work well as pain-killers.

The herbs, St John's Wart and Opium, both of which contain antidepressant properties, were the first ‘medications’ used to treat depression. St John’s Wart and Opium are also used as recreational stimulants. However, it is important to recognise the difference between ‘stimulants’ and ‘antidepressants’. Antidepressants are drugs that alleviate the patient’s mood to relieve depression, while a stimulant is used for recreational purposes - not to treat medical illnesses. Depression is a disease. The first synthetically produced drug used to treat depression was Iproniazid.

Side-effects of antidepressants have been, and continue to be, widely studied. Many have serious side-effects. Other antidepressants, particularly modern ones, have mild antidepressant effects and therefore minimal side-effects. Antidepressant drugs are tested on two groups of people. The first group is given the drug in the recommended dosage, while the second group is given placebo (sugar) pills. Both groups are under the impression that they are receiving the real drug. After the duration of the test, scientists compare the drug’s effects on each group. Surprisingly, groups taking the placebo pills often report similar effects. However, the real drug needs to prove that it has much greater effects than the placebo before it can be considered for medical use.

Antidepressant drugs are often taken for prolonged periods of time - weeks, months, even years. They do not have an immediate effect on the patient and must therefore be taken for some time to ascertain the effects on a patient.

When a doctor decides that a patient is ready to stop using an antidepressant, the patient often experiences a setback and negative emotions return. This can cause a relapse and the patient will need to resume medication. Several methods have been devised to help avoid relapses. These include reduced dosages, or the use of a milder drug, or even a placebo. The type of antidepressant is not really a factor in relapse, but patients who have been using a drug for an extended period are more likely to relapse.

In the past five years, the number of people using antidepressant drugs has increased significantly. For example in Western European countries and North American countries, the percentage has increased rapidly. The reason for this is considered to be the fact that people are becoming more informed about depression and therefore seeking treatment. Depression no longer carries the stigma of being a ‘mad person’s disease’.

The choice of antidepressant is generally governed by the side-effects that a particular drug may have on the individual patient. Doctors try to minimise side-effects while maximising the effects of the antidepressant. Often, patients will need to try a variety of medications before finding one that suits them best.

Antidepressant drugs have been synthetically produced for more than 50 years, helping people all over the world relieve the debilitating effects of depression. Generally, patients who are treated for depression are able to experience a great improvement in their condition and are able to stop taking the drug without relapse.