For many years, depression has taken over the lives of humans. When individuals are feeling very sad, hopeless, and unimportant they may be suffering from depression. There is a wide variety of medication used to treat depression. These drugs are known as Anti-depressants. The United States Food and Drug Administration illustrated that anti-depressants work to normalize naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters—primarily serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Scientists have found that these particular chemicals are involved in regulating a person's mood (FDA, 2016). There are several different classifications of antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNIs), Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). Anti-depressants may not cure depression, but they can reduce the symptoms. According to the New York Times Magazine, over the past two decades, one in ten Americans now takes Anti-depressant medication (Rabin, 2013). This is because depression is common and economic struggles causes …show more content…
To reduce the side effects of antidepressants, talking to a doctor or pharmacists is essential. It is recommended that it is not helpful to stop antidepressants or reduce the dosage without seeking professional help first. An article stated that withdrawal can trigger troubling symptoms like nausea, dizziness and “brain zaps,” a sensation that feels like electric shocks to the head. It can also trigger psychological problems like anxiety, irritability, moodiness and changes in appetite and sleep that mimic depression or may signal a recurrence. Some patients may become paranoid or suicidal (Rabin, 2012). Common side effects associated with antidepressants are nausea, drowsiness, headaches, and increased sweating. Other antidepressants may be suggested for use to decrease the