Although no one welcomes the presence of illness in their life, treatment such as medication can serve to limit or eliminate the impact of illness, freeing you to direct your energy more fully toward your personal goals. Anti-depressants relieve the symptoms of depression, which makes it easier to face your problems and take appropriate action. Many people find that they can work more productively in psychotherapy when they are free of depressive symptoms. If you are coping with the loss of a loved one, using an anti-depressant will not interfere with the grieving process. All anti-depressant medications work by influencing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Common neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinepherine, and dopamine.
During an episode of depression, brain levels of these neurotransmitters are lower than usual. Antidepressant medications work by slowing the breakdown of neurotransmitters and enhancing the sensitivity of receptors on the receiving neurons. Basic science research has been focused on more accurately identifying which receptors are linked to the beneficial effects of anti-depressant medications, so that new medicines can be more specific and have fewer side effects. If you are or think you may be pregnant, if you are planning on getting pregnant in the near future, or if you are nursing a baby, it is important to discuss this with your health care provider, because anti-depressants have not been shown to be completely safe for the developing fetus or infant. Any medical problems that you have, especially a history of seizures, head injury or eating disorders, should also be mentioned to your provider, because it may influence which anti-depressants would be safest for you to use.