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- I've been on antidepressants for a week
and I don't feel better yet. Should I go back
to my doctor?
The length of time before you start seeing
results may vary from person to person. While
some people may see results more quickly,
it could take up to eight weeks before your
symptoms start to ease. In the mean time,
stick with your meds and never stop taking
your medications without consulting with your
Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist first - some antidepressants
may cause withdrawal effects if you don't
wean yourself off them. In the meantime, any
side effects should taper off on their own.
If after a few weeks, you still find the side
effects to be unbearable, talk to your doctor
- you may need to change medications or require
a dose adjustment.
- Are all of the various types of antidepressants
the same?
No, there are a number of different classes
of antidepressants, each of which affects
the neurotransmitters in the brain in different
ways. While all are believed to have a similar
level of effectiveness, some work better for
certain problems than others or make be more
effective for some people and not others.
How a particular antidepressant worked for
a close family member may be an indication
of how effective it will be for you, so let
your doctor know about any close relative's
experience with particular medications. The
important thing to know is that if one antidepressant
doesn't work for you, or if you are experiencing
intolerable side effects, switching to a different
antidepressant can make a big difference.
- I'm thinking about getting pregnant.
Do I need to go off my antidepressants?
This is an important issue to discuss with
a healthcare professional, and it is great
that you are considering this issue before
you start trying to conceive. This is a complicated
question to answer because there are risks
and benefits to both stopping and staying
on medications during a pregnancy, and it's
important to weigh the risks and benefits
of both. While there is still relatively little
information available on the subject, the
majority of studies conducted have shown the
use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) to be safe for use during pregnancy.
There may, however, be a risk of low birth
weight associated with using the SSRI fluoxetine
in the third trimester. Studies on tricyclic
antidepressants did not show an increased
risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Because
different medications may be safer for you
and your baby at this time than others, make
sure to speak to your doctor. If you do decide
to continue treatment, your doctor may also
decide to reduce your dosage.
- My mother suffers from depression. Am
I at risk too?
Yes, having a family member who suffers from
depression does put you at greater risk of
depression as well. Researchers at Duke University
in the US recently discovered a gene that
may pre-dispose individuals to major depression.
Researchers have also found a variation in
a gene that affects levels of the mood-related
neurotransmitter serotonin that can increase
your risk of depression following a major
stress occurrence in your life. Neurotransmitters
are the chemicals which allow nerve cells
in the brain to communicate with one another.
If you believe you are predisposed to depression,
you should know there is no known preventative
treatment for depression. But you may be able
to influence the number and severity of depressive
episodes in your lifetime through treatment
such as medication, psychotherapy or a combination
of both and lifestyle factors such as diet
and exercise.
- I just got hired for a job that involves
night shifts. Will this make me feel more
depressed?
The body has a natural rhythm of sleeping
and wakefulness, called the circadian rhythm,
which is regulated by exposure to sunlight.
Working on the night shift will cause a change
in this rhythm, because your altered sleep
schedule means you will have less exposure
to daylight. This in turn may affect the production
of mood-related neurotransmitters, such as
serotonin, and may predispose you to depression.
Studies show that night workers do have a
higher risk of depression. While the exact
causes for this link is unclear, working at
night may isolate you from friends and family,
reducing your support system and further increasing
the risk of becoming depressed.
- I went on medication last year because
I had panic attacks during a stressful time
at work. The stressful situation has eased.
Do I need to stay on my medication?
This is a decision that you need to make after
consulting with your doctor. Many people can
go off antidepressants - which are often used
to prevent panic attacks - but it must be
done according to a plan, by gradually reducing
the dose of the medication in order to prevent
withdrawal symptoms. It is also important
that you know how to spot any signs and symptoms
of your anxiety disorder returning.
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