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Depression – Treatment and Drugs

Depression is a mental health condition.

It is a persistent feeling of low energy, sadness, and loss of pleasure in life.

It significantly affects day–to–day activities like school, work, social life, and relationships.

What are the common symptoms of depression?

  • Sadness
  • Emptiness/hopelessness
  • Anger outbursts
  • Loss of interest in regular activities
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Lack of energy
  • Reduced appetite/weight loss
  • Anxiety /restlessness
  • slowed thinking
  • overthinking
  • Guilt trap
  • Suicidal thought
  • Headache/backache

What are the causes of depression?

Family history – Depression travels in the family.

It increases the risk if a close family member has depression.

Neurochemical shifts – It is the depletion of certain chemicals in the brain.

The neurotransmitters are responsible for mood stability.

Hormonal changes- 

Any shift in hormones in the body may also cause depression.

Hormone changes occur during menopause, puberty, or pregnancy.

Traumatic event – Events that may lead to chronic sadness.

Death of a loved one, chronic stress

Other health issues – 

Any serious health condition may lead to worry and fear.

The excessive pain causes sadness.

Disease causing hormonal changes like thyroid

Brain disorders, etc.

What are the depression medicines?

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) –

These elevate the level of serotonin in the brain (happy hormone).

  • Sertraline
  • Fluoxetine
  • Paroxetine

SNRIs (Serotonin –nor-epinephrine reuptake inhibitors) – 

These increase the level of norepinephrine and serotonin.

  • Venlafaxine
  • Duloxetine

Atypical antidepressants – 

These affect specific chemical transmitters in the brain.

They affect dopamine along with other transmitters.

  • Bupropion
  • Mirtazapine

Tricyclic antidepressants – 

These are the old-generation drugs.

These block serotonin /norepinephrine reuptake.

These are widely used in major depression /nerve pain

  • Amitriptyline
  • Desipramine

Can depression be cured by itself? 

Depression with mild symptoms or due to life events can be cured.

Clinical depression is a serious condition.

It must be addressed immediately.

Are medicines enough to control depression?

Antidepressants alone may relieve the symptoms.

It does not treat the root cause.

The antidepressant drugs correct the chemical imbalance in the brain.

Depression must be addressed while dealing with the overall condition.

It requires psychotherapy along with medication, depending upon the condition.

Counselling, behavioral therapies, lifestyle adjustments, etc.

Avoid leaving antidepressant drugs on your own. Why? 

The antidepressant must be left only after tapering.

Abruptly leaving the medication may show –

Cold turkey effect – Immediately causing a chemical imbalance.

It may cause withdrawal effects.

  • Physical issues
  • Sensory disturbances
  • Emotional instability
  • Flu-like symptoms

Which is the leading contract pharmaceutical manufacturer for antidepressants?

Aprazer Healthcare is a pharmaceutical manufacturer with global footprints.

We manufacture a wide range of antidepressants.

With the strongest global distribution network, we supply /export world standard products.

We are WHO-GMP /EU-GMP certified pharmaceutical company.

We are a first choice for global exporters-

  • Regulatory adherence
  • Global distribution
  • Standard quality
  • Extensive product portfolio
  • Affordable manufacturing