Do you know the side effects of antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medications generally prescribed to treat depression and some other mental health conditions.
They should always be consumed under a medical prescription and considering their possible side effects in our system.
The specialists who can prescribe them are psychiatrists, psychologists can suggest them to you, but the psychiatrist is the one who makes the prescription so that you can get them at the pharmacy.
When is an antidepressant prescribed?
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants if you have depression.
This is a disorder that can present itself in the form of weakness, loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of low self-esteem, lack of energy, and poor concentration.
Depression can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and antidepressants are generally prescribed for moderate or severe depression.
However, along with antidepressants, you should receive psychological therapy. Antidepressants are also prescribed for the treatment of other conditions, such as chronic pain, anxiety, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What are the effects on my body?
All antidepressants have certain side effects that are important to know, these are found on the back of the package or in the indoor psychology.
Taking certain antidepressants could reduce your speed and performance in daily activities or tasks that require concentration, such as driving transport.
So you should ask your doctor if you can drive safely while taking the drug, or if there are any other activities that you should avoid during treatment.
All antidepressants have the potential to influence your sexual history, discuss your concerns with your doctor.
You may also feel withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them, these are:
Sickness.
Vomiting.
Loss of hunger.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Shaking chills.
Sweating.
Anxiety.
Panic.
So if you want to stop treatment sooner, you should consult your doctor, he will probably suggest that you gradually decrease the dose over several weeks.
There are several types of antidepressants, so we will give you a tour of each one and its possible effects.
SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants
Although all antidepressants have certain side effects, SSRIs tend to be less troublesome and have milder effects than other antidepressants, so they are prescribed more often, especially, they are less likely to make you feel drowsy.
Some side effects of SSRIs are:
Discomfort or vomiting.
Indigestion.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Weight loss.
Anxiety.
Headaches.
Reactions in the dermis, such as rashes.
Insomnia.
Tremors.
Dizziness.
Dry mouth.
Seizures.
The side effects of SNRIs and NaASEs tend to be similar to those of SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Drowsiness or tiredness.
Dizziness.
Anxiety.
Confusion.
Irritability.
Dry mouth.
Blurry vision.
Constipation.
Difficulty urinating.
In some cases these effects disappear or are reduced with time, so on the contrary I know what you would think you should continue taking the medicine even if these signs appear.
In very few cases, tricyclic antidepressants also have the possibility of causing arrhythmia and seizures. However, for this reason they are used less than SSRIs.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOI antidepressants have the potential to trigger a reaction with other medications and certain common foods, increasing the risk of side effects.
It is for this reason that MAOI antidepressants are not often prescribed, and if you are taking an MAOI antidepressant, your doctor will give you a list of foods that you should not eat.
Side effects of MAOIs include:
Headaches.
Insomnia.
Constipation.
Dizziness.
How to supplement my diet with my medications?
As mentioned above MAOIs can cause dangerous interactions with certain foods and drinks.
You will want to avoid foods that contain high levels of tyramine, an amino acid that regulates blood pressure, such as aged cheeses, cured meats, beer, and fermented soy products such as soy sauce, miso, and tofu.
This interaction can cause your blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.
So if you are prescribed this type of antidepressant, you should ask your doctor for a complete list of dietary restrictions.
In the case of other antidepressants, a food restriction is not necessary other than avoiding the consumption of alcohol and a psychotropic substance.
The use of antidepressants is necessary for the treatment and improvement of various mental conditions, together with therapy, a good diet and regular exercise, you will be able to notice the improvements.