Antidepressant Side Effects: An Overview
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by overwhelming prolonged sadness, hopelessness, lethargy and disinterest in daily activities. Depression can last for weeks, months or years, and it rarely improves on its own without some form of treatment. Some people who struggle with depression see improvement after counseling sessions with a qualified therapist. For others, depression is so severe that their doctors need to prescribe antidepressant medication.
While antidepressants can be helpful in relieving depression symptoms, they often cause side effects. It’s important to recognize and understand these side effects so that you can speak to a doctor about your experiences. However, even if you experience side effects, never stop taking your antidepressant medication without consulting your doctor.
Treatment for Depression: Antidepressant Types
The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many scientists believe in the chemical imbalance theory, claiming that depression is caused, in part, by a deficiency of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a brain transmitter that regulates mood. SSRIs are believed to block the re-absorption of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain, leaving more serotonin available to elevate mood.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are older classes of antidepressants that have can have severe side effects. These antidepressants target brain transmitters such as norepinephrine (a stress hormone) and dopamine (which affects behavior, memory and motivation), as well as serotonin. In general, these antidepressants are only prescribed if treatment with SSRIs has failed.
Side Effects: Antidepressants
Since serotonin plays a role in digestion, pain, sleep and thought patterns, SSRIs can cause a wide variety of side effects. Some of the most common side effects of SSRIs include:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Decreased sex drive
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Sleepiness
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Weight fluctuations.
TCAs and MOAIs have similar side effects to SSRIs, but they are usually more severe. These classes of drugs can also cause:
- Disorientation
- Increased heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Shakiness.
Withdrawal symptoms are also common among antidepressant side effects. Antidepressants can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them, no matter what type of medication you’re using. Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal include:
- Aches and pains
- Anxiety
- Crying spells
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Tremors.
For this reason, never stop taking antidepressants or reduce your dosage without first consulting your doctor.
Resources
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Antidepressants: Get tips to cope with side effects. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MH00062.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/maois/mh00072.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Retrieved May 5, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/mh00066.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MH00071.
Smith, M. and Segal, J. (2008). Antidepressants: What you need to know about depression medication. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Help Guide website: helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm#sideeffects.