Antidepressants are a class of medications primarily used to treat depression by affecting neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain. It influences hormones like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which are all involved in regulating our mood. Multiple different types of antidepressants exist, each with its own particular possible side effects to varying degrees.
These drugs can also be prescribed for other mental health conditions at times, such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sometimes chronic pain.
Whether you should use antidepressants or not is up to you; they are often employed for severe depression, but can also be used for mild to moderate depression. I would advise you to always take medication if you’re severely depressed or at risk of harming yourself.
I can tell from personal experience that while the effects tend to wear off for me, they do help me function in the initial few months when depressed.
Final note
Antidepressants are medications designed to help relieve symptoms of depression by balancing brain chemicals linked to mood and emotion.
They’re not a quick fix or a cure, but for many people, they’re a valuable part of treatment, often used alongside therapy and lifestyle changes to support long-term recovery.
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