Decoding Antidepressants: Types, Uses, Side Effects, & More

For most people, life is smooth. Sure, there are ups and downs, peaks and troughs, but most people get by in life with minimal trouble.

However, for some people, mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can be crippling, severely impacting their quality of life and ability to participate in vocations such as work, study or engaging in social activities or raising a family.

If you have a severe mental health condition, you might be prescribed antidepressants to help you with your problems.

This article will provide an overview of antidepressants—we’ll cover what they are, what conditions they help treat and what types of antidepressants there are, and how they work.

If you’re interested in this topic, continue reading to learn more. 

Seeking Help When Struggling

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling with depression, it’s incredibly important to work with a mental health professional to create an appropriate treatment plan that’s right for you and your needs.

Ideally, you’d work with a medical doctor or a psychiatrist, as well as a professional who has completed qualifications like online doctoral programs in counseling.

With the right care team, you can get the help that you need to get your life back on track and begin to live a productive and healthy life.

What is Depression?

Depression is a term given for a clinically diagnosed mood disorder that can cause persistent feelings of sadness or dejection, consistently low mood, and a major loss of interest in everyday activities such as study, work, and social relationships.

Also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave, and can lead to a huge plethora of emotional and physical problems in life.

If you are depressed, you may have trouble performing normal day-to-day activities such as getting up in the morning, showering, looking after your dental hygiene, and engaging in regular activities.

And sometimes, you may feel as if life isn’t worth living. In some severe cases, depression can lead to suicidal ideation and attempts.

Depression is more than just a period of sadness or feeling bad over a breakup or friendship loss, and depression isn’t simply a weakness or a deficit.

And people with depression can’t simply “snap out” of it or change the way they feel on demand if they’re depressed.

Depression may require long-term treatment from a qualified mental health professional, whether that’s a psychiatrist, mental health counselor, or peer support worker. There is also a role for antidepressants, as we’ll see below.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders impact lots of people throughout the world. Someone with an anxiety disorder, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), tends to have persistent feelings of uncertainty, fear, and worries that interfere with their everyday living and activities and tend to last more than six months.

In order to diagnose GAD, a mental health clinician will look for several symptoms, including excessive, difficult-to-control worry, which occurs most days over six months.

This worry may jump from topic to topic or result from stressors in the person’s life. GAD is typically accompanied by the physical symptoms of anxiety, which might include:

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Nausea
• Sweaty palms
• Headaches
• Muscle tension
• Insomnia
• Increased heart rate
• A sense of immediate danger or impending doom

Now that we’ve explored depression and anxiety, let’s shift our focus to the treatment of these conditions with antidepressants.

When it comes to medications for these disorders, benzodiazepines can be prescribed as a short-term measure to help someone manage anxiety or panic attacks.

Still, they shouldn’t be used long-term due to their addictive nature, as they can cause dependence after two or more weeks of continual use.

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

A non-addictive option for depression and anxiety is a class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, which take longer to work (around 4-8 weeks) but are proven to manage anxiety as well as depression. Some brand names of these drugs include Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa.

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)

SNRIs affect both serotonin and norepinephrine, and are used for conditions like depression and anxiety. Examples include Cymbalta and Effexor. 

Tricyclic Antidepressants 

There is also a class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs. Older drugs, TCAs, can be effective for depression and sometimes for pain management. Examples include amitriptyline and nortriptyline. 

MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors):

These are less commonly used due to potential interactions with certain foods and medications, but are sometimes prescribed for depression.

Side Effects

All medications can have side effects, including antidepressants. Some side effects of antidepressants include:

• Headaches and Fatigue: These can be common, especially when starting or adjusting the dose. 
• Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, or changes in sleep patterns are common with antidepressants.  
• Sexual Dysfunction: Reduced libido, difficulty achieving orgasm, and erectile dysfunction are known side effects. 
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and dry mouth are common side effects. 
• Weight Fluctuations: Some antidepressants can lead to weight gain or loss. 
• Dizziness and Lightheadedness: This occurs with certain types of antidepressants, like TCAs. 
• Blurred Vision: Some antidepressants can cause blurred vision, particularly with TCAs. 
• Anxiety or Restlessness: Some individuals may experience increased anxiety or restlessness with antidepressant use. 
• Emotional Blunting: A feeling of numbness or a reduced ability to experience emotions can occur.