| Depression is a disorder of mood which | | | | receptors. |
| remains nearly incomprehensible to those who | | | | |
| have not experienced it in its extreme mode, | | | | Antidepressant - maprotiline, trazodone |
| although "the blues" give many individuals a | | | | (Desyrel), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) aren't |
| hint of the illness in its catastrophic form. | | | | chemically related to the other |
| | | | antidepressants listed above; however,they're |
| We all go through ups and downs in our mood. | | | | effective in treating depression by blocking |
| Sadness is a normal reaction to life's | | | | the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, |
| struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. | | | | and epinephrine, respectively. However, the |
| We're down in the dumps for a short time, | | | | reason they aren't used as commonly as the |
| then gradually the painful feelings dissipate | | | | other compounds is because of increased |
| and we move on with our lives-often the wiser | | | | adverse effects. |
| for the experience. But when the low mood | | | | |
| persists, interfering with your ability to | | | | Other medication strategies. Your doctor may |
| work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun, it's | | | | also suggest other medications to treat your |
| no longer normal. It's depression. | | | | depression. These may include stimulants, |
| | | | mood-stabilizing medications, anti-anxiety |
| For the patient with anxiety and depression | | | | medications or antipsychotic medications. In |
| | | | some cases, your doctor may recommend |
| The depressed patient needs continual | | | | combining two or more antidepressants or |
| positive reinforcement to improve her | | | | other medications for better effect, which is |
| self-esteem. Provide a structured routine, | | | | sometimes called augmentation. |
| including activities to boost her | | | | |
| self-confidence and promote inter. action | | | | Psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments may |
| With others (for instance, group therapy). | | | | be considered. Psychosocial therapies should |
| Keep reassuring her that her depression Will | | | | address issues that particularly affect |
| lift. | | | | women, such as competing roles and |
| | | | conflicts.13 Commonly used treatments include |
| Encourage the patient to talk or to write | | | | psychotherapy to correct interpersonal |
| down her feelings if she's having trouble | | | | conflicts and to help women develop |
| expressing them. Listen attentively and | | | | interpersonal skills; cognitive-behavioral |
| respectfully; allow her time to formulate her | | | | therapy to correct negative thinking and |
| thoughts if she seems sluggish. Record your | | | | associated behavior; and couples therapy to |
| observations and conversations. | | | | reduce marital conflicts. In patients with |
| | | | mild to moderate depression, psychosocial |
| Medication Treatment for Depression - | | | | therapies may be used alone for a limited |
| Antidepressant medications are often the | | | | period, or they may be used in conjunction |
| first treatment option prescribed by health | | | | with antidepressant medication. |
| professionals. Antidepressants relieve the | | | | |
| symptoms of depression, which makes it easier | | | | Many people opt for herbal Supplements as |
| to face your problems and take appropriate | | | | they are not having any side effects or very |
| action | | | | few side effects if they have any at all. |
| | | | They are a combination of herbs and some |
| Tricyclic drugs - tricyclic antidepressants | | | | other nutritive stuff that provide relief |
| (TCAs) such as amitriptyline. TCAs are the | | | | from depressive symptoms. The best |
| most widely used class of antidepressant | | | | supplements are those which have been tested |
| drugs. They prevent the reuptake of | | | | rigorously as per pharmaceutical standards. |
| norepinephrine or serotonin (or both) into | | | | The metabolism of components at the molecular |
| the presynaptic nerve endings, resulting in | | | | should be considered. The study of the |
| increased synaptic concentrations of these | | | | communications between the components must be |
| neurotransmitters. They also cause a gradual | | | | examined. |
| loss in the number of beta-adrenergic | | | | |