Medication

• SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) enhance the effect of the transmitter serotonin (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram).The effect takes place after approximately three weeks. No major side-effects are known apart from the digestive system and blood coagulation (nausea, diarrhoea, nose bleeding, lengthened menstruation), as well as a decreased sexuality and very seldom high lung pressure.
• TZAD (Tricyclic antidepressants) combines three active agents: Amitriptyline, imipramine and doxepine. The experience with this medication is not very positive. Results can only be seen after a couple of weeks, accompanied by a row of noticeable side-effects such as a dry mouth, constipation and low blood pressure. TZAD motivates the patient at first before enfolding a positive mood. The first phase led to a row of suicides, which resulted in a fully stationary medication.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors inhibit the reduction of serotonin in order to enhance the effect of serotonin. Compatibility is high, still side-effect such as headache, nausea and dry mouth can occur. Patients on monamine should not eat too much cheese and nuts to keep up a stable blood pressure.
• Mirtazapine increase the production of noradrenalin, dopamine and serotonin and act calming. Side-effects are fatigue, growing appetite and weight increase.
• SNRI (serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors) enhance the effect of serotonin and noradrenalin (Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, Atomoxetine). Side-effects are restlessness, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure and bad appetite.
• NARI (noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors) increase the effect of noradrenalin (Reboxetin). Side-effects are a dry mouth, urinary retention, nausea and a decreasing sexuality.
• NDRI (noradrenalin dopamine reuptake inhibitors) reinforce the effect of noradrenalin und dopamine (Bupropion). NDRI claims the usual antidepressant side-effects regarding the digestive system and sexuality, but also has a history of producing cramps if overdosed.
• Preventive Medication: Depression is not always fully eliminated after a successful therapy. Is this the case preventive medication such as lithium is prescribed, especially with a bipolar depressive disorder. Side-effects are trembling, nausea, increasing amount of white blood cells, thirst, thyroid malfunctioning. Besides lithium, lamotrigine (inhibits aspartate and glutamate; acts calming; if dosed wrongly can bring forth severe skin irritation diplopic images, dizziness, headache, nausea), Carbamazepine and Valproic acid are out on the market as preventive depression medication.
• Light: SAD a seasonal depressive disorder also known as winter depression due to lack of sunlight can be treated with an increased doze of daylight as well as artificial light combined with outside activities.