It is used in many psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition to these, it has taken its place in the treatment of somatic symptoms such as fibromyalgia and migraine. Antidepressant medication prescribed to any person should be started by consulting the relevant doctor. It should be kept in mind that only the drug information obtained from social media and the use of drugs can have dangerous consequences.
In Which Situations Are Antidepressants Used?
In addition to the treatment of depression, antidepressants may also be recommended for the following conditions;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder,
- Anxiety disorder,
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder,
- Sleep problems.
Some antidepressant medications can also be used to relieve the effects of long-term types of chronic pain.
What Are the Side Effects of Antidepressants?
As with other drug use, some side effects may occur during the use of antidepressants. These side effects may differ depending on the type of antidepressant used. Side effects of antidepressants are mostly seen in the first few weeks.
The prominent side effects associated with the use of antidepressants are as follows;
- Headache,
- Dry mouth,
- Unrest,
- Dizziness,
- Sexual problems,
- Getting fat,
- Sleeping state,
- Nausea,
- Diarrhea.
Side effects occur in some people who use antidepressants and are usually mild. These effects may vary depending on the type of drug used and the dosage used. Side effects will improve greatly over time as your body gets used to the medication. New-generation antidepressants are generally safe to avoid long-term side effects. If the side effects do not go away over time, your doctor may change your medicine.
Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy
Pregnancy or breastfeeding periods are critical for mother and baby. During these periods, psychological problems are common, and if psychotherapy is not sufficient, antidepressant use may be recommended. It is also known that depression and other psychiatric disorders can cause serious problems for the mother and the baby. At this point, the risks and benefits are calculated and the treatment determined. In general, the use of antidepressants during pregnancy is very unlikely to cause problems for the baby's health. However, some types of antidepressants are not recommended for use during pregnancy. For this reason, if you experience problems with your mental health during pregnancy, you should decide with your doctor whether you will use medication or not.
How long does the treatment take?
The duration of treatment is determined individually for each patient. It is regulated according to the severity of the disease, previous treatment attempts, and whether there is treatment resistance. If every antidepressant does not work well for every patient, experiences side effects, or does not help, it may take some time to switch drugs. Again, the average duration of the effect of these drugs is 15–20 days. Monthly check-ups are recommended for at least 6 months when treatment is started with the use of antidepressants. Collaboration with your doctor should also be made during the withdrawal process after the drug is started. In this way, the probability of recurrence is reduced to a minimum.
Misunderstood truths
- Antidepressants are not addictive.
- It does not harm your organs.
- It does not have drug properties. It does not make patients robotic and insensitive.
- They're not "high-heavy pills."
- It doesn't change people's personalities.
- People using these drugs are not dangerous.
- It's not drugs that cure problems, it's therapeutic drugs.
- Taking antidepressants does not mean that you are weak, incompetent, or mentally ill.
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Just as we do not treat blood pressure diseases ourselves, we should definitely apply to our doctor for treatment of psychiatric diseases such as depression. In fact, the most frightening aspect of psychiatric drugs, which many people find frightening, is their misuse or irregular use and their not being used when necessary.
