Depression Medications To Address Depression

Just because you feel sad and depressed for a few days does not mean that you have depression. A serious condition that can last months or even years, that’s depression. Studies have show that around 15 million Americans are affected by this illness each and every year. Only about 4.5 million of those people seek help, which is unfortunate. It’s the mental illness stereotypes, things like the crazy eyed old man, that make people think twice before seeking treatment for depression. Of the list of progressive ailments depression is one of the worst. Without attention it will become more and more severe. People should pay attention to the signs.

There are many types of depression and it is caused by a variety of factors. It can by biological, genetic, physical and emotional. It can be given birth by the very environment that the victim lives in. Detrimental factors such as stress can lead to it. Depression is a very complicated disease. As well, the human brain and its workings are quite complex. Work continues into the mind and brain and how they work, what makes them tick. We know that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Researches learn more about this complex series of actions and reactions with passing time. The phrase is “learning is half the battle” and with depression knowledge is power.

Depression can be treated with a host of available medications. Of course the market is full of ‘quick fix’ antidotes. Clinical tests to prove something really works in treating depression are required. There was a time in our history if you were afflicted by anything that was associated with mental illness you were thrown into a mental ward and lost in the system. Fortunately that has all been changed. In 1988 the anti-depressant ‘Prozac’ first hit the market in the United States. It has bee proven effective and is still in use today although it does come with side effects.

A new class of anti-depressants has become widely used since then. Currently depression is being treated with SSRI or (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, and Luvox. These work even though they too show some side effects. The market is also ripe with herbal medications and treatments. Hyperforin, an ingredient in the St. John Wort extract, is common in those that seem to work as well as anti-depressants. Some herbal remedies don’t contain this ingredient in the proper strength so they don’t work. Research and information are your friends when it comes to the finding the right depression medications for your depression.