29 of antidepressants were due to the TB. And this is the first fact about psychotropic medicines, which we share with you.
Sixty years ago, TB used a drug called iproniazid. But when the doctors found that previously depressed patients with tuberculosis in the evening, started dancing in the hospital hallways, researchers have begun to examine the possible effects of the drug on depression.
He was effective in the treatment of depression for many people. But unfortunately, the doctors found some risk associated with ironized: if the drug people drink wine, eat cheese or consume any other foods which contained the amino acid tyramine, it could experience a sharp jump in blood pressure, which in some cases led to sudden death. So scientists began searching for drugs that could help treat depression without the risk of death for the patient.
Since then, the debate about the use and effectiveness of antidepressant drugs has spread as widely as their popularity, which led to the formation of two camps: some believe that antidepressants save lives, while others insist that they are at least useless and at most dangerous. The controversy spawned a number of myths that still plague the Internet, what is even more confusing discussion.
Here are 13 of the most popular myths with commentary based on scientific and medical facts to understand how things really are.
Read also about how out of depressiya coach XXL Jessamyn Stanley
Myth 1: antidepressants the best and fastest way to cure depression
The chance that antidepressants will be the best method of treating depression accounted for only about 30%.
Studies have shown that only 30% of those who are clinically depressed, it is best to react to regular exercise. Another 30% of the best treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. And only the remaining 30% is best amenable to antidepressant treatment. But for these 30% of antidepressants can really be a godsend.
With regard to their quick action, here everything is different. Most antidepressants have a significant effect not less than 1-2 weeks. But the onset of full effect doctors ask patients to wait 6 weeks.
Myth # 2: antidepressants: these are the same supplements serotonin
Antidepressants are not additives. This is a very complex drugs that require close monitoring of an experienced doctor.
Scientists have not yet found a way to capture or hormone production of the brain, called neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine), insulin (for diabetes) or thyroxine (for treating hypothyroidism). However, they found a way to make the brain more sensitive to the neurotransmitters that are essential to strong mental health. But again, the increase in sensitivity that takes time, so it may take 2-6 weeks before you really feel the effect of the drug.
Myth # 3: antidepressants change personality
The short answer to this question is no. They won’t make you sociable if you were always shy or analytically, if it has always been intuitive. So, I will remain completely intact.
Myth # 4: addicted to antidepressants
Chemicals present in antidepressants that are not addictive. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, one of the key components of addiction is the inability to control their behavior. Antidepressants do not exert such influence on the brain.
In fact, many patients on antidepressants report that they were better able to control their behavior and life. They feel able to communicate and be more productive.
At the same time your body can really get used to a particular drug (this will be seen as a physical addiction, not mental), and reducing the dosage will cause you some side effects lifting. It is therefore very important to gradually reduce the dose, sometimes within a few weeks. Sudden withdrawal may cause some unpleasant but temporary symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, headache and other flu-like symptoms.
Myth # 5: as soon as you start taking them, you will have to do it forever.
People who stradayet numerous bouts of depression, but have experienced relief from antidepressants are usually forced to remain on treatment indefinitely. So Yes, some people prefer to take anti-depressants for decades. But the vast majority of people continue to take them for only a couple months after remission.
Myth # 6: antidepressants harm your sex life
Many of these drugs affect sexual function in some people, especially at the beginning of therapy. But in some cases antidepressants can cause erectile dysfunction and hamper the feeling of orgasm, even if you took them very long.
Fortunately, the percentage of people experiencing this side effect, is quite low. If you encounter such symptoms, talk about this with your doctor. The solution may be as simple as changing the drug.
Myth # 7: antidepressants lead to weight gain
Some antidepressants may cause some people have a change of appetite. For example, nortriptyline (Elavil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) can increase it and bupropion (also known as Welbutrin) often reduces it. Because one of the parties of the impact of moderate and severe cases of depression weight loss, it may not be so bad. But, as a rule, antidepressants by themselves do not increase the weight.
However, if you already have excess weight or the disease, worsening with weight gain (e.g., diabetes, orthopedic problems, or heart disease), prior use of antidepressants we recommend you do physical exercise, for example, to start training in the gym, ride a bike, swim or take yoga lessons. Perhaps your case was among the 30% whose depression can be alleviated with exercise.
Regular moderate load and increase the oxygenation of the brain, releasing healthy hormones, improving self esteem and improving mood.
Myth # 8: antidepressants make you emotionless
On the contrary. Clinical depression can be so painful that the emotions disappear, imposing man in a blunted condition. When depression begins to recede (under the influence of any treatment), people often say they feel alive and see the world in bright colors, and not gray as it was before.
Myth # 9: antidepressants dealing with all types of depression
This is not so. For example, depression caused by bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression), should be treated completely different class of drugs (such as mood stabilizers or antipsychotics), and not the one which is used to treat primary depression. Antidepressants can actually trigger psychotic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.
Depression associated with loss (divorce, death of a family member, job loss, etc.) generally are better treated with grouppadding or individual drug therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy).
Myth # 10: antidepressants are like antibiotics they eliminate specific problems
Depression is not like infection, andantidepressants have no affinity with antibiotics. This myth probably stems from the propensity of our society to take medication instead of having to put in some effort to get rid of the problem. Back pain is treated with muscle relaxants is to perform strengthening and stretching exercises. Headaches are muffled by vasoconstrictors and anti-inflammatory drugs is meditation and proper diet.
Depression is much more complicated than most people think. There is a long list of stressors that can cause depression, and in most cases it is not one, but several occasions. Medication can be a good push, but not enough to pull out the person from depression.
See also what happens to people under stress
Myth 11: once you feel better you can give up drugs
Most doctors recommend taking antidepressants for at least 6 months, so that the brain can adapt to a higher level of sensitivity. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the premature discontinuation of antidepressants can lead to recurrence of symptoms.
Myth # 12: the side effects of antidepressants worse than the depression
Yes, antidepressants can cause unpleasant side effects in some people, but according to patients themselves, they are much more harmless depression. For example, in some cases, antidepressants can cause or exacerbate suicidal thoughts, making dreams more vivid, sometimes even too realistic. Side effects of tricyclics (TCAS), usually associated with dryness of the mouth, nose, dry skin, blurred vision, problems with urination, weight gain, drowsiness and constipation. Selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake (SSRIs) sometimes cause anxiety, irritability, nervousness, confusion, headache, decrease in sexual desire, insomnia, weight change, diarrhea, and nausea.
But it is also true that many people do not experience any side effects. It is impossible to predict in advance, if you encounter side effects, and if so, what they will be.
Myth # 13: all antidepressants are the same, so if one didn’t work, other will not help either
There are 29 different formulas of antidepressants that fall under one of seven classes of drugs:
- Aminoketone
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Selective reuptake inhibitors of norepinephrine and dopamine
- Selective inhibitors of reverse takeover serotonin and norepinephrine
- Selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Tetracyclic antidepressants
Each class of drugs affects the brain, and even drugs within the same class have chemical differences. For example, citalopram (Celexa) and ESCITALOPRAM (Lexapro) are SSRIs and both are chemically very similar, and yet people react very differently to each of them. Many patients who have tried both, and found that one of them is more effective, while the other almost has no effect. It is impossible to predict how the brain of each person will respond to a specific antidepressant.
Источник:lifehack.org