| Over 20 million adults in the U.S. are | | | | prescription antidepressants can work for |
| suffering from depression, and many of them | | | | some patients, they also produce an alarming |
| have explored the use of antidepressant | | | | amount of side effects in many cases. Sexual |
| medication to help alleviate their symptoms. | | | | dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and headaches |
| Not all people who suffer from depression | | | | are just a few of the commonly reported side |
| choose to use medication; oftentimes, therapy | | | | effects. Even more disturbingly, these |
| alone is enough to successfully treat the | | | | medications can also cause thoughts of |
| condition. But those who do are faced with a | | | | suicide, particularly in younger |
| variety of options -- including herbal | | | | patients.Many who are fed up with the side |
| ones.Antidepressants are more widely used to | | | | effects of antidepressants (or who simply |
| treat serious depression than mild | | | | don't want to risk them in the first place) |
| depression. There are several kinds of | | | | turn instead to natural remedies for |
| antidepressants, all of which work slightly | | | | depression. Some remedies have proven to be |
| differently. One common type is the selective | | | | so effective that they outsell prescription |
| serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This | | | | medications in some markets. St. John's Wort, |
| type of medication specifically targets the | | | | for example, is one of the herbal treatments |
| neurotransmitter serotonin, which is | | | | for depression that works so well that in |
| essential in monitoring mood. Commonly | | | | Germany, it outsells many major prescription |
| prescribed SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Luvox | | | | antidepressants. St. John's Wort is believed |
| and Zoloft.Another kind of antidepressant is | | | | to boost serotonin levels in the brain, |
| the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs | | | | naturally lifting spirits and alleviating |
| are usually only recommended to patients with | | | | feelings of depression.There are many other |
| atypical symptoms, and are not usually the | | | | natural ingredients that are effective in |
| first type of antidepressant prescribed to a | | | | treating depression, including passion |
| person. If a patient is not responding to | | | | flower, ginko biloba, and kava kava, among |
| other types of antidepressants, a doctor may | | | | others. You should always consult a doctor |
| recommend an MAOI. MAOIs work by reducing the | | | | before beginning or ending any prescription |
| amount of monoamine oxidase in the brain. | | | | medication, and if you decide to pursue the |
| Monoamine oxidase is the substance that | | | | option of treating depression naturally, |
| breaks down neurotransmitters such as | | | | remember to give the medication time to take |
| serotonin and norepenephrine, which help | | | | effect. Whatever choice you make, patience |
| regulate mood. Reducing the amount of | | | | and perseverance in exploring the options on |
| monoamine oxidase in the system can help | | | | your list of depression medication will |
| restore brain chemical balance. Nardil and | | | | ultimately lead you to a happier, healthier |
| Parnate are examples of MAOIs.While | | | | life. |