Can a Pill Really Make You Happy? The Truth About Antidepressants

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

FEATURED EXPERT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR AMER SIDDIQ AMER NORDIN Consultant Psychiatrist UM Specialist Centre (UMSC)

ALL ABOUT ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Ssometimes, medications are helpful in overcoming moderate to severe depression.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin explains that these medications, called antidepressants, are prescribed by psychiatrists, who are medical doctors specializing in mental healthcare or psychiatry.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ANTIDEPRESSANTS

They Are a Way to Manage Depression, not a Cure 

• Dr Amer stresses that antidepressants are not the be all and end all of depression management.
• Antidepressants reduce the symptoms of depression instead of curing the condition.
• They are only prescribed when necessary.
• Some people with depression may be able to overcome it without any need of medication at all.

It Takes Time to See the Benefits

• It may take a couple of weeks before you see the beneficial effects of the antidepressant you are taking.
• If you believe that you are not getting better even after taking the medication, don’t be too quick to assume that it does not work.
• Instead, talk to your psychiatrist about your options.

Take Your Medications Based on Your Doctor’s Recommendations

• Take your medications based on the recommended dosage and frequency.
• Do not stop without consulting your psychiatrist first.
• Some people stop on their own when they believe that they are getting better, and as a result, their depression comes back, sometimes more severely than before.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol or Taking Recreational Drugs While You Are on Antidepressants 

• Some people believe that the ‘high’ from alcohol or drugs helps them feel better, but research has shown that these substances actually negate the benefits of your medications and can even worsen your depression.

HOW DO ANTIDEPRESSANTS WORK?

• There are different types of antidepressants available, and each type has its own unique ways of reducing the symptoms of depression.
• Generally, however, they all work by influencing the way the brain works.

How Does Our Brain Work?

• Our brain cells, or neurons, form a closely connected network called the brain circuit.
• All information is passed from one neuron to another, carried by substances called neurotransmitters.
• There are many different types of neurotransmitters, and some of them carry information that affect our mood–for example, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

How Antidepressants Work on the Brain

• Generally, antidepressants help reduce the symptoms of depression by interrupting the transmission of specific neurotransmitters that trigger a depressive mood.
• Some work on a single neurotransmitter, while others may work on two or more.

How a Psychiatrist Prescribes Antidepressants

• The type of antidepressants prescribed depends on the symptoms and severity of your depression, other health conditions already present and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Sometimes, a psychiatrist may prescribe a combination of two antidepressants for enhanced beneficial effects.
• If the need arises, additional medications such as mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic medications may also be prescribed to help you better manage your symptoms.

HOW ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?

• If you experience bothersome side effects, your psychiatrist may switch you to a different kind of medication.
• If you are also on medications for other health conditions, you should inform your psychiatrist, as there is a possibility that these medications can react with an antidepressant to create potentially dangerous complications.

AREN’T ANTIDEPRESSANTS ADDICTIVE?

• No, not at all, says Dr Amer.
• Some patients experience withdrawal-like symptoms when they stop taking antidepressants, but this is not a sign that they are addicted to those medications.
• Rather, it is more likely due to the body needing some time to adjust once the medication is stopped, especially if it is stopped abruptly. These symptoms usually go away on their own.

WILL ANTIDEPRESSANTS RUIN ONE’S SEX LIFE?

Because antidepressants work by calming your mood and reducing your anxiety, one possible unwanted side effect is that you also become too ‘calm’ to respond in intimate situations.

• Some people, both men and women, taking antidepressants may also find that their libido is decreased.
• There are men who also experience erectile dysfunction, while women may experience discomfort during sex due to reduced lubrication.
• Delayed orgasm may also be experienced by both men and women.

Fortunately, sometimes these side effects go away on their own, after your body has become used to the medication.

• If they persist, there are ways to manage these symptoms, such as reassessing the dosage or, if you anticipate having an intimate moment with your partner, taking your antidepressants only afterwards.
• Switching antidepressants might also be an option if the above doesn’t work.

Don’t stop your medication because it is affecting your sex life, as this may cause your depression to worsen. Instead, talk to your psychiatrist about the issue; he or she will be able to help you in this matter.

DON’T GIVE UP!

• Medication alone is often not enough to help the person overcome depression.
• Overcoming depression is a day-to-day process, often requiring a lot of energy and focus.
• Recovery may not be as quick as the person wishes, and in the meantime, he or she may experience broken relationships, loss of jobs and other heartbreaking disappointments.
• In such situations, some people may become overwhelmed and feel that they will never become better. They choose to give up instead, thus succumbing to their depression.

It Doesn’t Have to be This Way

While depression is often portrayed as a lone person’s struggle, Dr Amer points out that the road to recovery is often easier with support from the people around that person.

This is why, while he respects a patient’s desire for confidentiality, Dr Amer would advise the patient to let at least one trusted person in on the fact that they are trying to overcome depression.

• This person can provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough for the patient.
• Additionally, that confidante is welcome to ask for advice from the patient’s mental health professional if the need arises.

Furthermore, support can be obtained from various support groups as well as from various non-profit organizations dedicated to helping people with depression and other mental issues heal.