By Rose Ann Haven Anchor and Community Coverage
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Published: Mon, February 11, 2008 - 9:50 pm
Last Updated: Mon, February 11, 2008 - 10:45 pm
Rose Ann Haven
A retired teacher and a local realtor with an outgoing personality, Hope describes life before treatment, "Angry, lonely, lethargic, feel tired, not really want to do anything, don't want to go anywhere. Everything seems like a huge effort". But, Hope is one of the millions of Americans who takes drugs that alter the brain's chemistry. "With the anti-depressant..life is life. I go and do what I want to do. I have retired from one career have started a new career", says Hope.
Anti-depressants treat many forms of mental illnesses, like obsessive compulsive disorder. Jan McVey says, "When you're at your worst with OCD, nobody can convince you of anything. You think germs, or contaminations on things and this was..my mother gave me this when I was 12. It's my birthstone, so I thought germs were on it, and I wouldn't wear it. It's an antique now. I wear it all the time". Many patients on anti-depressants say the medicine makes them feel normal, despite what it may be doing to their bodies. It can take 2 to 8 weeks for anti-depressants to build up in your system to become effective. Some of the side effects of these drugs include nausea, constipation, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. Sometimes those go away. As for the long term side effects of these drugs, that's hard to say. "That's a difficult and complex question to answer", says Dr. William Billett, a Psychiatrist with AltaPointe Health Systems of Mobile, Formerly Mobile County Mental Health.
Side Effects of Common Depression Medication
- Headache, Nausea
- Insomnia
- Sexual Problems
- Dry Mouth
- Constipation, Bladder Problems
- Blurred Vision
- Drowsiness
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Anti-depressants haven't been on the market long enough to know the long term effects. "Whenever we prescribe any medication, we sort of make a careful analysis of what are the risks, what are the benefits, and hopefully the benefits far outweigh the risks", says Billett. "It concerns me, but, I know how I was..and I was not a well functioning person I mean I was shocked when I realized what I had been living with for so many years and it's made it possible for me to have a much fuller life...so to me it's worth the risk", says Lynn Adams, a psychotherapist and patient taking medication for clinical depression. June Hope, a retired local school teacher and realtor says for her, the benefits do outweigh the possibility of long term risks. "Why not just say, I'm on them, and stay on them for a prescribed length of time. If you can get off, great and you feel good. But, if you can't, why deny yourself that quality of life?", says Hope. Doctors say some people with chronic depression or with a more serious illness may need to stay on anti-depressants indefinitely. Others may feel better after just a few months, and never need them again.
Coping with Anti-Depressant Side Effects
Click Side Effects to see the Suggestions
Nausea:
Take antidepressants with food.
Drink plenty of fluids, such as unsweetened fruit juice, cool water or ginger ale that's lost its carbonation.
Try an antacid or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
If available, take a slow-release form of the medication.
Talk to your doctor about a dosage change.
Drink plenty of fluids, such as unsweetened fruit juice, cool water or ginger ale that's lost its carbonation.
Try an antacid or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
If available, take a slow-release form of the medication.
Talk to your doctor about a dosage change.
Increased Appetite, Weight Gain
Eat healthy foods, such as plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Cut back on sweets, sugary drinks and fast foods.
Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Seek advice from a nutritionist or dietitian.
Talk to your doctor about switching medications.
Cut back on sweets, sugary drinks and fast foods.
Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Seek advice from a nutritionist or dietitian.
Talk to your doctor about switching medications.
Sexual side effects
Talk to your doctor about changing your dose.
Consider a drug that requires only a once-a-day dose, and schedule sexual activity before taking that dose.
Talk to your doctor about adding or switching to an antidepressant that may counteract these effects, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) or mirtazapine (Remeron, Remeron SolTab).
Talk to your doctor about taking a medication intended to directly treat sexual dysfunction.
Talk to your doctor about a "drug holiday" — stopping medication for a day or so each week.
Consider a drug that requires only a once-a-day dose, and schedule sexual activity before taking that dose.
Talk to your doctor about adding or switching to an antidepressant that may counteract these effects, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) or mirtazapine (Remeron, Remeron SolTab).
Talk to your doctor about taking a medication intended to directly treat sexual dysfunction.
Talk to your doctor about a "drug holiday" — stopping medication for a day or so each week.
Fatigue, drowsiness
Take a brief nap during the day.
Get some mild exercise, such as walking.
Avoid driving or operating machinery until the fatigue passes.
Take the medication one to two hours before bedtime.
Get some mild exercise, such as walking.
Avoid driving or operating machinery until the fatigue passes.
Take the medication one to two hours before bedtime.
Insomnia
Take medication in the morning.
Avoid caffeinated food and drinks.
Get regular exercise at least four or five hours before bedtime.
Develop a relaxing bedtime routine.
Talk to your doctor about temporarily taking a sedating medication at bedtime.
Avoid caffeinated food and drinks.
Get regular exercise at least four or five hours before bedtime.
Develop a relaxing bedtime routine.
Talk to your doctor about temporarily taking a sedating medication at bedtime.
Dry mouth
Sip water regularly.
Suck on ice chips.
Chew sugarless gum.
Suck on sugarless hard candy.
Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
Brush your teeth twice a day.
Visit your dentist regularly to help prevent tooth decay.
Talk to your doctor about saliva substitutes.
Suck on ice chips.
Chew sugarless gum.
Suck on sugarless hard candy.
Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
Brush your teeth twice a day.
Visit your dentist regularly to help prevent tooth decay.
Talk to your doctor about saliva substitutes.
Blurred vision
Get an eye exam to rule out other causes of your eye problems.
Talk to your doctor about using special eyedrops to relieve dryness.
Talk to your doctor about a dose adjustment.
Talk to your doctor about using special eyedrops to relieve dryness.
Talk to your doctor about a dose adjustment.
Constipation
Drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
Eat high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, brans and whole grains.
Get regular exercise.
Take fiber supplements.
Consider taking stool softeners if other measures don't work.
Dizziness
Rise slowly from sitting or standing positions.
Use handrails, canes or other sturdy items for support.
Avoid driving or operating machinery.
Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Take medication at bedtime.
Agitation, restlessness, anxiety
Get vigorous exercise, such as jogging, biking or aerobics.
Practice deep-breathing exercises and muscle relaxation.
Consult your doctor about temporarily taking a relaxing medication.
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