- Names of most used Antidepressants
- How to take the antidepressant without getting fat
- How to choose the ideal antidepressant
- How to take antidepressants
- Natural antidepressant options
Antidepressants are drugs indicated to treat depression and other psychological disorders and exert their action on the central nervous system, presenting different mechanisms of action.
These remedies are indicated for moderate or severe depression, when symptoms such as sadness, anguish, changes in sleep and appetite, tiredness and guilt appear, which interfere with the person's well-being. To better understand the symptoms, see how depression is diagnosed.
Names of most used Antidepressants
All antidepressants act directly on the nervous system, increasing the number of important neurotransmitters that improve mood. However, these drugs are not all the same and to understand how they work in the body and what effects they can cause, it is important to separate them into classes, according to their mechanism of action:
| Antidepressant class | Some active substances | Side effects |
| Non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors (ADTs) | Imipramine, Clomipramine, Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline | Drowsiness, tiredness, dry mouth, blurred vision, headache, tremor, palpitations, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushing, sweating, drop in blood pressure, weight gain. |
| Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ISRs) | Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine | Diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, headache and insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorders. |
| Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (ISRSN) | Venlafaxine, Duloxetine | Insomnia, headache, dizziness, sedation, nausea, dry mouth, constipation, increased sweating. |
| Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and ALFA-2 antagonists (IRSA) | Nefazodone, Trazodone | Sedation, headache, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth and nausea. |
| Selective dopamine reuptake inhibitors (ISRD) | Bupropion | Insomnia, headache, dry mouth, feeling sick and vomiting. |
| ALFA-2 antagonists | Mirtazapine | Increased weight and appetite, drowsiness, sedation, headache and dry mouth. |
| Monoaminoxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) | Tranylcypromine, Moclobemide | Dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia. |
It is important to remember that side effects do not always manifest and may vary according to the person's dose and body. Antidepressants should only be used with guidance from the general practitioner, neurologist or psychiatrist.
How to take the antidepressant without getting fat
To avoid getting fat during treatment with antidepressants, the person must remain active, exercising daily, or at least 3 times a week. Practicing an exercise that the person likes is a great way to promote the release of substances that give pleasure.
In addition, it is also important to consume low-calorie foods and avoid those that are rich in sugar and fat, finding another source of pleasure that does not involve food. Here's how to eat a healthy weight loss diet.
How to choose the ideal antidepressant
In addition to side effects and form of action, the doctor also considers the person's health and age and the use of other medications. In addition, the doctor must also be informed about any illness that the person may have.
In addition to pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy is also very important to complement the treatment.
How to take antidepressants
The dosage varies widely according to the antidepressant used and in some cases it may be necessary to start treatment at a lower dose and increase over time, while in other cases this is not necessary. So, one should talk to the doctor about the doses and expected duration of treatment, so that the person has no doubts when taking.
In order to obtain the best results during treatment with antidepressants, the person must be patient if they do not see an immediate effect. Antidepressants usually take some time to take effect, and it may take a few weeks to experience the desired effectiveness. In addition, some side effects may diminish or even disappear over the course of treatment.
It is also very important to never stop treatment without talking to the doctor or contacting you if you do not feel better over time, as it may be necessary to switch to another antidepressant. It is also necessary to avoid the ingestion of other drugs or alcoholic beverages during this phase, as they impair the treatment.
Natural antidepressant options
Natural antidepressants are not a substitute for treatment with drugs, however, they can be a good option to complement and help improve symptoms. Some options are:
- Eating foods rich in vitamin B12, omega 3 and tryptophan, present in some foods such as cheese, peanuts, bananas, salmon, tomatoes or spinach, as they are converted into serotonin and other important substances for the nervous system. Check the list of foods rich in tryptophan; Sunbathing, about 15 to 30 minutes a day, as it stimulates the increase in vitamin D and the formation of serotonin; Exercise regularly, at least 3 times a week, which helps to regulate sleep and release hormones such as serotonin and endorphins and improve well-being. Group exercise, as a sport, can have even more benefits, since it promotes social coexistence;
Adopting positive attitudes in everyday life, preferring outdoor activities and looking for new ways to get busy and have contact with people, such as enrolling in a course or practicing a new hobby , for example, are important steps to get treatment most effective way of depression.
