Depression Medications
Depression is more than sadness or feeling depressed for a few days. A serious condition that can last months or even years, that’s depression. According to various reports as many as fifteen million Americans suffer from this disease. And yet, sadly, only about 1/3 of those people seek medical care. The age- old stereotype associated with mental illness influences many to still avoid admitting they suffer from depression. Depression is a progressive illness. It will get worse without treatment. Ignorance in this case isn’t bliss.
A variety of factors, and even combinations of these factors, lead to depression. It can by biological, genetic, physical and emotional. Simple daily life and surroundings are important. It can be caused by stress brought on by even more detrimental factors. It takes a lot of knowledge to address a complex issue like depression. We also recognize the intricacy of man’s mind. To learn how the mind works, doctors and researches are studying it each day. It’s clear that it’s an imbalance of chemical compounds in the brain that creates depression. We are learning more every day about how the whole process works. The more we learn about depression the better we can treat it.
Depression treatment comes from a variety of medications on the market. Miracle treatments also exist, but many times these are empty claims. You have to be careful to seek medications that have been clinically studied and have been proven to display positive effects in the treatment of depression. At one time asylums and mental institutions were filled to the brim with mentally ill people. It’s good to know that’s no longer the case. The anti-depressant Prozac first came into use in the USA in 1988. Although it has side effects it is widely used and it is effective.
Since then a new class of anti-depressants has become popular as well. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, SSRI, are being used today. These include Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, and Luvox. All have been proven effective but come with varied side effects. Herbal medications also have a place in this market. The ingredient in St. John’s Wort extract, heperforin, is present in those that prove every bit as effective as anti-depressant drugs. Some herbal remedies don’t contain this ingredient in the proper strength so they don’t work. Research and information are your friends when it comes to the right medications for depression.
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