Possible Side Effects of Antidepressants
Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You're Dealing With Depression
May 5, 2007
The possible side effects of antidepressants can include blurred vision, sleep loss, or dry mouth - so make sure you ask your doctor questions if you're getting medication for depression!
The side effects of antidepressants depend on the size of the dosage, other medications, the cause of depression, and your own body's makeup. Natural treatments for depression don't usually cause the same side effects of antidepressants as prescription medications - but they may not be as effective. It depends on your body and type of depression.
Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are three commonly prescribed antidepressants; the drug that works best for any one person depends on his/her personal and medical history. Some people are prescribed a certain dosage of, say, Paxil – and they feel better soon after they start taking it. Others dealing with depression need to experiment with different dosages and even different drugs before they find what works for them.
The side effects of antidepressants are complicated and differ from person to person. Antidepressants don't work immediately; they can take a few days or even a few weeks to kick in. This means the side effects of antidepressants may take awhile to surface as well.
Myths About the Side Effects of Antidepressants:
- Antidepressant Side Effect Myth: Weight gain is a side effect of antidepressants like Zoloft or Prozac.
- Reality: Gaining weight isn't usually a side effect of antidepressant medication -- though fatigue, blurred vision, and a dry mouth can be. Sexual libido may wan, and so can performance. The possible side effects of antidepressants vary from person to person.
- Antidepressant Side Effect Myth: Everyone dealing with depression who takes Prozac feels better and happier.
- Reality: Of all the people who take antidepressants, about 70% get better. Dealing with depression doesn't have to take months.
- Antidepressant Side Effect Myth: If you start taking antidepressants when you're dealing with depression, you'll be taking them forever.
- Reality: Most people take antidepressants for 6 months to 1½ years – depending on their experience and depression. After a severe depressive episode is over, a maintenance dose of antidepressants may be prescribed by the doctor.
- Antidepressant Side Effect Myth: Prozac makes people feel high or happy all the time.
- Reality: Antidepressants make people feel normal (like they did before the depression hit). People dealing with depression don't feel like they're under a dark cloud, exhausted, or heavy.
- Antidepressant Side Effect Myth: Antidepressant medictions are addictive.
- Reality: They're not addictive. The best way to stop taking antidepressants is to taper off slowly – after taking them for the recommended time, with the doctor's advice.
Questions to ask your doctor about the side effects of antidepressants:
- What are the possible side effects of antidepressants?
- Will my sleep be affected? If so, how can I make sure I get a good night's rest?
- Will I gain or lose weight on antidepressants?
- Should I refrain from alcohol, sugar, or any other food or drink while taking antidepressants?
- Will my libido or sex life be affected?
- Can I drive, operate machinery, and do all my normal activities? (Tell the doctor if you regularly sky dive, drive a public bus, weld for a living, etc. – anything that requires safety and attention).
- What is antidepressant medication supposed to do, and how does it work?
- How long do antidepressants take to kick in?
- Will it affect my other medical conditions?
- How long will I be taking antidepressants for?
If your first experience with antidepressants doesn't work, don't give up. When you're dealing with depression, discuss different dosages or types of drugs with your doctor. Be open to combining treatments, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants, or therapy and herbal remedies -- but always check with your doctor first. Be open to trying new things when you're dealing with depression...even natural treatments.
If you found Possible Side Effects of Antidepressants helpful, you might enjoy:
- Physical Signs of Depression
- Natural Treatments for Depression
- Double Depression
- 8 Tips for Overcoming Seasonal Depression
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