Depression can negatively affect one’s life, affecting every aspect, including your relationships and work life. Ignoring the signs of depression can create a significant problem in the future.
Treatment options for depression vary from one person to another. Many doctors find a perfect balance between antidepressants and physiological therapy to handle major depressive disorders or clinical depression.
While antidepressants are highly effective in relieving your symptoms, they also have various side effects. In some cases, the side effects can be severe, and you must consult your North Chelmsford depression specialists, who can switch your medications.
Side effects:
Side effects of antidepressants vary depending on the type of medication you use. Each medication comes with its side effects. Similarly, everybody reacts differently to the side effects. Some people may experience unmanageable adverse effects, while some may encounter easily manageable symptoms.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lower sex drive
- Anxiety
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Disturbed sleeping pattern
- Fast heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Appetite changes
- Constipation
- Feeling of restlessness
Most of the side effects fade away as your body gets used to the anti-depressants. Usually, you will notice the decline of the symptoms within two weeks. However, weight gain, sexual problems, and more can last longer.
If the symptoms do not fade away, let your doctor know so that he can change your medications according to your body tolerance level.
Serious side effects:
While the symptoms above are manageable, rarely can there be serious side effects affecting your overall physical health and causing long-term damage to your body. A few of these include:
- Hyponatremia
- Mania
- Suicidal thoughts
- Allergic reaction
- Serotonin syndrome
- Seizures
Managing the side effects
Sometimes your body may become dependent on the medications causing addiction to antidepressants. In recent years, more and more people have started relying on anti-depressants. It is crucial to understand that going cold turkey with antidepressants will only worsen your physical health, leading to higher withdrawal symptoms.
It is never a good idea to stop talking to your doctor entirely about medications and your current condition. Be transparent to your doctor and regularly update them about the side effects. If the side effects last longer than the expected time, your doctor will switch the medications.
Furthermore, before you stop taking the anti-depressants, consult your doctor. Detaching from the medications requires professional assistance to avoid your condition getting worse. The doctor will make an effective plan to reduce the dosage with time until you completely stop taking them.
