Drugs prescribed for depression are widespread and millions of people take them for this troubling illness. If your doctor has recommended an antidepressant medicine for you, you are not alone.
Scientific research has yielded startling insights into the human brain and how it functions and has come to the rescue with an increasing arsenal of antidepressants which act upon brain chemistry.
You may be wondering, what type of medication is good for depression? That depends in a large part on the severity of symptoms and factors such as age, your previous history, and sensitivities or previous reactions.
A first approach may be use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which may act to prevent the reabsorbtion of the neurotransmitter serotonin, thereby making it more readily available to the brain. While helpful in treating negative mood or anxious feelings in early stages, SSRIs work for only 20-40% of people.
Other drugs prescribed for depression include tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These act on additional brain chemicals.
Tricyclics influence levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, and possibly interact with other chemicals throughout the body. Tricyclics present a greater risk of side effects but can be effective in treating symptoms.
The monoamine oxidase inhibitors are viewed as a last resort, used when other drugs fail to alleviate symptoms. These are prescribed with caution. When considering what type of medication is good for depression, it may be more relevant to consider the type of depression. MAOIs act on serotonin and norepinephrine, but also affect dopamine. Unfortunately, MAOIs present increased risks of hazardous dietary and drug interactions.
Still other drugs prescribed for depression, do not necessarily fit the classifications of antidepressants but are also used because they do not present the same potential dangers to the patient. Some of these are Wellbutrin, Effexor, Remeron, or Desyrel.
Weighing what type of medication is good for depression also depends on other factors. Another approach is use of natural drugs. What are these? Can natural preparations effectively treat depressive symptoms?
Drugs prescribed for depression treat malfunctioning neurotransmitters. Natural drugs work in the same fashion as conventional medicines, and because risks of side effects are so reduced, many people feel more comfortable using these.
A natural remedy will be scientifically formulated and will combine essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, herbal extracts and specialty supplements, and enzymes. Active ingredients work in targeted ways to combat symptoms. Research and numerous studies have proved these to be effective: equal to, and at times exceeding, conventional medicines.
SAMe has been prescribed successfully for two decades and has been approved as a drug in certain countries. It is a trusted treatment for moderate to severe symptoms and has performed as well or exceeded conventional antidepressant medicines.
L-tyrosine is used for synthesis of brain neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. By increasing the availability of tyrosine to the brain, beneficial preventative effects are rendered?significant for stress and its negative effects.
Phosphatidyl choline increases central neurologic activity with mood, brain energy, memory, and vocabulary beneficially affected. It has been used to treat bipolar disorder and anxiety.
Valerian aids in production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is an amino acid implicated in anxiety. Valerian root and rhizome are prized for their healing properties. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) gives valerian a class 1 safety rating.
Siberian ginseng improves the balance of the important neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters and their malfunctioning are implicated in depressive disorders.
When evaluating what type of medication is good for depression, it can be seen that natural drugs offer the same benefits without the risks normally associated with antidepressant medicines.
It is always important to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Drugs prescribed for depression have been shown to help and may be a valid treatment approach; alternatively natural remedies offer tangible benefits and are an attractive treatment option.
