MEDICATIONS
I thought I would also do a weekly item on psychiatric medications. Just a few basic pieces of information about some of them. Be aware that this is information only. I am not a psychiatrist, medical doctor or pharmacist. All of this information is taken from several websites and is here simply for you to familiarize yourself with them if you so desire.
I'll start with
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
- helps with depression and/or anxiety
- also may help other conditions such as bulimia or chronic pain
- increases the activity of certain chemicals in the brain which make you feel
good, less depressed &/or less anxious
- but the reason why these drugs work is not totally understood yet because our
brains are so complex
- about 70% of people who try antidepressants experience relief of their
symptoms
- sometimes you have to try more than one to find the one that works for you
How long will it take to begin to work?
- can take up to several weeks to be fully effective
- when it does start working you might notice your sleep, appetite and energy
improve then eventually your mood begins to improve as well
- if you are distressed by depression and/or anxiety for more than two weeks
with uncontrollable feelings of great sadness, despair, hopelessness or
excessive worry you should see a doctor for an assessment
- medication does not work for everyone. It may not be the answer for you
- many of you may not want to take medication which is your right. You can
decide together with your doctor whether you need medication or some
other form of treatment that might work without medication
- if you do take medication it’s best if you don’t rely solely on it but do other
things as well to help your mood such as
- talk therapy, counselling with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor of
some type
- getting support from family, friends, or support group
- take care of your physical health such as getting physical exercise, eating well, getting a good sleep
- learning how to manage your mood; finding a way to accept what is going on, finding out what soothes you, comforts you and eases your pain
- learning about depression – read books about it, go on the internet, or go to a support group for people with the illness
Side effects
- different medications may cause different side effects
- yes you may experience some especially when you first begin taking the
medication
- you may find them too distressing and may need to try a different medication
- your doctor should try a low dose with you at first then slowly increase if the
medication seems to be working
- you can check for side effects of a medication or any other information about it
on the internet at such sites as ...
- http://www.drugs.com
Next week (I hope) I will cover different types or classes of antidepressants.
[Caer Weber]
Next week (I hope) I will cover different types or classes of antidepressants.
[Caer Weber]
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