Self-Help Information:
Understanding Anti-Depressants
What are the common psychological signs
of depression?
Mood of sadness, despair, or emptiness
Decreased ability to experience pleasure
Low self-esteem
Apathy, low motivation, social withdrawal
Excessive emotional sensitivity
Negative pessimistic thinking
Irritability
Suicidal ideas
Decreased concentration or ability to perform daily activities,
forgetfulness
What are the common physiological signs of depression?
Increase or decrease in appetite
Increase or decrease in weight
Fatigue
Decreased sex drive
Restlessness, agitation
Fluctuations in mood
Sleep disturbance—early morning awakening, frequent awakenings
during the night, excessive sleeping
Is medication an effective form of treatment for depression?
Yes! Anti-depressants are up to 80% effective for the treatment of
depression and are a good adjunct to counseling for reducing
depressive symptoms.
Common Anti-Depressants
| Name |
| Generic |
Brand |
| Citalopram
|
Celexa® |
| Venlafaxine
|
Effexor®
|
| Paroxetine
|
Paxil®
|
| Fluoxetine
|
Prozac®
|
| Bupropion
|
Wellbutrin®
|
| Sertraine
|
Zoloft®
|
How do they work?
Most anti-depressants work by restoring the balance of certain
natural chemicals in the brain.
These medications are not habit forming!
How long does it take the medication to work?
It may take two to four weeks before the full benefits of the
medication take effect.
How long will I have to take the medication?
Length of treatment usually ranges from six to nine months for mild to
moderate depression. However, treatment may be longer for more severe
forms of depression. It is very important to continue taking the
medication as prescribed even if you feel well!
Do anti-depressants interact with other medications?
Alcohol and recreational drugs should not be taken with
anti-depressants! Consult with your physician about drug interactions
with other prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.
Common Side Effects
Important: You may initially see only side effects, but they should
decrease over the course of one to two weeks and then diminish over
time. Not all the medications listed above have all of the following
side effects. Ask your physician which side effects to expect from the
medication prescribed to you.
Nausea
Anxiety
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Sexual side effects
Sweating
Constipation
Insomnia
Weight gain/loss
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Headache
Decreased appetite
Lightheadedness
Restlessness
Agitation
Rash/itching
Nervousness
Ways to Minimize Some Side Effects
Nausea - take medication with meals
Drowsiness - take medication at bedtime
Insomnia - take medication in the morning
Need Additional Help?
Washington State University College of Veterinary
Medicine Counseling and Wellness Services offer free individual counseling for these and related issues
for veterinary students (WSU Veterinary Students ONLY). For more information or to schedule an appointment call or e-mail:
Carolyn
Wyatt PhD
ADBF 1035
335-0774
cwyatt@vetmed.wsu.edu
NOTE:
The information contained in these self help documents is not to
be used as a substitute for professional care. Neither the
authors, Washington State University nor
the College of Veterinary Medicine assume liability for
injury incurred by following the
information presented in these self-help documents
Last Edited: Mar 06, 2007 5:45 PM
