How do Antidepressants Work?

Depression leaves an individual in a pretty devastating condition. Curbing the same is sometimes impossible without proper medical care and family support. Therapies, medicines for depression and affectionate care go hand in hand. 

There are several types of antidepressant medications that do well under different conditions. But how do antidepressants work? What are the most common antidepressants? And are there any commonly used list of antidepressants? Let's find it out in this article. 

What Are Antidepressants?

In simple words, antidepressants are medicines for depression. However, they can also be used for treating other health-related conditions. Chemicals that are present in those medicines affect every individual in different ways. This is why there are several types of antidepressant medications. The doctors prescribe those pills depending upon one's requirement. A high-consistent dosage can make them addictive. 

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How Antidepressants Work

It's an absolutely personal decision if someone decides to undergo any psychological therapies or consume anti-depressants or combine both for a particular treatment. All types of antidepressant medications may work in a similar way yet, they are somewhat different from each other.

Basically, antidepressants work to increase the numbers of chemical messengers called the neurotransmitters present in our body to reduce the signs and symptoms of depression. A majority of people find them worthy of trying to reduce their depression and anxiety levels. However, mild depression isn't relieved and such medicines for depression work mostly in severe cases.

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Depending on your health along with other such factors, a specialist might prescribe you a particular type of antidepressant medication. It basically gives the body a sudden boost to modify the behavior of how certain hormones react. This reaction is momentary. However, actual results are produced weeks or months after the dosage. It's a brain chemistry that unfortunately isn't that simple to understand.

Types Of Antidepressants Medications

The four most common antidepressant types are as follows:

#1. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)

TCAs are used for conditions ranging from depression, chronic pain to sleeping issues and smoking terminations. It basically prevents reabsorption of epinephrine and serotonin back to the nerve cells after they release into the synapse. However, these tend to put out more side effects on the body including blurry vision, dry mouth, constipation and weight gain etc. And doctors might keep a check on your blood pressure to maintain your safety.

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#2. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)

As the name says, SSRIs allow additional serotonin to remain available. SSRIs were the initial category of antidepressant drugs but their side effects were discovered solely by chance. However, SSRIs have really fewer side effects. But adverse reactions can always be expected. And it's always ensured to cease them slowly when the dosage needs to be stopped. Sexual dysfunction is an uncomfortable side-effect.

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#3. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOI)

MOIs were discovered in the 1950s to inhibit the enzyme called monoamine oxidase. It breaks down monoamines and makes available the neurotransmitters that are associated with mood regulation. However, MOIs are carefully used, in fact, are less commonly used as these retain life-threatening possibilities when combined with other foods or medications.

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#4. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)

SNRIs work similar to how SSRIs do. SNRIs just increase the norepinephrine, in addition to serotonin, and help in reducing fatigue along with depression. SNRIs are beneficial for getting rid of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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Best Selling List Of Antidepressants

#1. Prozac - 2 million per month prescriptions in the year 2011

#2. Zoloft - 3 million a month prescriptions in the year 2011

#3. Desyrel - More than 22.5 million prescriptions in the year 2011

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#4. Paxil - Almost 14 million prescriptions in the year 2011

#5. Effexor - Around 12.5 million prescriptions in the year 2011

#6. Viibryd - 1.45 million prescriptions monthly in the year 2013 - 2014 

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#7. Celexa - More than 3 million a month prescriptions in the year 2011

All of the above data is provided by Mental Health Daily. 

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