List of Pros and Cons of Antidepressants

Depression is something that people of all ages suffer from and it can vary in severity. It is something that should be taken seriously and will not just go away on its own. Depression is a real condition and is often caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain. This means that most forms of depression need to be treated. The most common way to treat depression is through the use of antidepressants. It is important for you to learn what antidepressants really are and what the pros and cons of using them to treat depression are in order for you to come to an unbiased opinion on the topic.

What is an Antidepressant?

It is important for you to understand what an antidepressant really is before you can form your own opinion on how effective this treatment may be. It is essentially a medication that stimulates the release of good hormones within the body. The hormones that are identified as good and connected to feelings of happiness and increased energy are endorphins and serotonin. This means that anti depressants work to restore the chemical balance of the brain and allow these good hormones to be more present.

There is more than one type of antidepressant that can be prescribed by your doctor if you are suffering from depression. The type of antidepressant that you are prescribed will depend on your symptoms and how you respond to medication. This means that one antidepressant might help to lessen symptoms of depression, while another will offer no relief. This is because all people are different and each person will respond differently to antidepressants.

Now that you know what antidepressants are and why they are prescribed, it is time that you learned what the pros and cons of taking them really are. You might be surprised to learn what the pros and cons of antidepressants are.

The Pros of Antidepressants

1. Treat All Forms
One of the main reasons why antidepressants are seen to be so beneficial is because they can be used to treat people of all ages. This means that both the young and the old can be prescribed antidepressants when they are dealing with depression that is severe. Children that are suffering from depression do have the ability to live a happy and normal life with the use of antidepressants. This can be a huge benefit and allow people of all ages to live normally even when they are suffering with this severe condition that is real.

2. Many Mental Issues
Many people that suffer from a form of depression also have some other form of mental illness. This is not always the case, but it is possible to have depression and an eating disorder or depression and anxiety. This means that antidepressants can be the simple solution because they have the ability to treat and lessen many types of issues. This means that it is a medication that can combat a number of issues that you may be facing.

3. Boost Your Mood
Antidepressants are also great because they are known for boosting your mood right away. This means that you should be able to notice a difference in the way that you feel right away. This means that you will be able to feel more normal and like yourself without depression when you are taking antidepressants.

4. Safe
This is also a medication that is safe to take. This means that even if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, you still have the ability to take many of the most common antidepressants. They will not harm your baby in any way, which allows you to combat your depression symptoms at all times.

The Cons of Antidepressants

1. Slow
One of the biggest downsides to taking antidepressants for your depression is the time that it takes to notice results. This means that it can sometimes take months for you to notice a difference in the way that you feel when taking some antidepressants. some people do not have this much time to wait and need relief from their depression symptoms right away. Some that take a lot of time to work also show very little effect. This means that taking antidepressants does not offer much of a relief for some patients.

2. Side Effects
It is also important for you to be aware of the negative side effects that are connected with the use of antidepressants. They might be able to lessen symptoms of depression to some degree, but they often do not get rid of depression altogether. It should also be noted that the side effects of the medication that you are taking to treat depression can also be just as bad as the depression itself. Fast heart beat, sleepiness, mood swings and depression are side effects of the medication that you are taking.