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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions Category9 Common Types of Antidepressants and How They Work
Table of Contents:OverviewWhat Are the Symptoms of Depression?How Is Depression Treated?Finding the Right AntidepressantTypes of AntidepressantsPossible Side Effects of AntidepressantsTake The First Step
DepressionRead Time: 8 Minutes
Published On: January 21, 2021
Reviewed On: January 21, 2021
Updated On: November 1, 2023
Overview
Updated on 3/3/2022
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?Before learning about the types of antidepressant options available and how they work, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of depression. Depression is a common condition and can occur at any time and at any age. In fact, about one in 15 adults experience depression in any given year, and according to theAmerican Psychiatric Association, one in six people will experience depression at some point in their life.Symptoms of depression include:Insomnia or excessive sleepHaving a short temper, irritabilityLoss of interest in hobbies once enjoyedComplete hopelessnessPersistent thoughts of something bad happeningThoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide attemptsInability to care for oneself and carry out daily responsibilitiesPsychotic symptoms, including delusion or hallucinationsIf these symptoms last two or more weeks and represent a significant change from your previous level of functioning, it is possible that you are experiencing symptoms of severe depression. If these symptoms persist over many years, you may be experiencing a chronic form of depression.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Before learning about the types of antidepressant options available and how they work, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of depression. Depression is a common condition and can occur at any time and at any age. In fact, about one in 15 adults experience depression in any given year, and according to theAmerican Psychiatric Association, one in six people will experience depression at some point in their life.
Symptoms of depression include:
If these symptoms last two or more weeks and represent a significant change from your previous level of functioning, it is possible that you are experiencing symptoms of severe depression. If these symptoms persist over many years, you may be experiencing a chronic form of depression.
How Is Depression Treated?
Depression may make you feel hopeless, but even in severe cases, depression is treatable. The key? The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it often is. The most common treatments for depression include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Treatment doesn’t necessarily mean you need to take medication for the rest of your life, as therapy and lifestyle modifications also play a crucial role in managing depression symptoms. You should know, however, that there is no shame in takingmedication for depression.
Finding the Right AntidepressantWhen lifestyle changes and mitigation strategies fail to improve your depression symptoms, your psychiatrist may prescribe an antidepressant. This is a common and proven treatment for depression, with more than13 percentof American adults regularly taking antidepressants. While there are a number of pharmaceutical options available, different antidepressants work in different ways to ease your depression symptoms and some come with different side effects.According to the Mayo Clinic, when a doctor prescribes you an antidepressant, the following factors are most often considered:Individual symptoms.Depression symptoms vary and certain antidepressants relieve certain types of symptoms better than others. For instance, if you have trouble sleeping, an antidepressant that’s slightly sedating may be the best option.Possible side effects.Depending on the medication and the person, side effects can vary. More uncomfortable side effects such as dry mouth, weight gain, or sexual dysfunction can make treatment more challenging, but discuss side effects with your doctor to find the option that works best for you.Interaction with other medications.Certain antidepressants can cause potentially dangerous reactions when combined with other medications. Talk to your psychiatrist about medications you’re currently taking.Pregnancy or breast-feeding.There are risks to taking some antidepressants during pregnancy, and it is important to work with your doctor to determine the best way to manage depression while you’re expecting or planning on becoming pregnant.Underlying health conditions.While some antidepressants can cause issues if you have certain mental or physical health conditions, there are antidepressants that are used to treat multiple physical or mental health conditions in addition to depression.
Finding the Right Antidepressant
When lifestyle changes and mitigation strategies fail to improve your depression symptoms, your psychiatrist may prescribe an antidepressant. This is a common and proven treatment for depression, with more than13 percentof American adults regularly taking antidepressants. While there are a number of pharmaceutical options available, different antidepressants work in different ways to ease your depression symptoms and some come with different side effects.According to the Mayo Clinic, when a doctor prescribes you an antidepressant, the following factors are most often considered:
Types of Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs help improve your serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain to help limit depression symptoms. Unlike SSRIs, there are some common side effects, including nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. Examples of SNRI medications include:duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima).
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Due to side effects, tricyclic antidepressants are less commonly prescribed unless other antidepressants are not working for you. TCAs also block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine to relieve depression symptoms. Some examples of TCAs include: imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline, doxepin, and desipramine (Norpramin).
Tetracyclic antidepressant
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Dopamine reuptake blocker
This milddopamineand norepinephrine reuptake blocker is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder, as well as helping people quit smoking. Common examples of this type of antidepressant include Wellbutrin, Forfivo, and Aplenzin.
5-HT1A receptor antagonist
5-HT2 receptor antagonists
5-HT3 receptor antagonist
Possible Side Effects of Antidepressants
Antidepressant side effects can vary depending on the type of medication you are prescribed, and you may need to try several different antidepressants before finding one that improves your symptoms and causes manageable side effects.According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most common side effects of depression medication include:
Although less common, there are more serious and worrying side effects of some antidepressants, and it is important to contact your psychiatrist or doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
Take The First Step
If you’re looking for help with depression symptoms, considerTalkspace online psychiatry services— a convenient and inexpensive way to start feeling better.
Jessica-Lynne DuBois-MaahsJessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
Jessica DuBois-Maahs is a Chicago-based writer whose work has appeared in USA Today, Verily Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, and The Florida Times-Union, putting her MSJ degree from Northwestern University to good use. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling to new places and hanging out with her cat, Buster.
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