$Unique_ID{BRK00808}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Do Depression Medications Have Bad Side Effects?}
$Subject{medication medications depression Mental Emotional Conditions fatigue
drowsiness depressed medicine medicines}
$Volume{R-23}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Do Depression Medications Have Bad Side Effects?


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QUESTION:  Slowly, but more and more each day, my husband is becoming
increasingly moody and withdrawn.  Our physician has made a diagnosis of
depression and has started to prescribe medications.  I am afraid that these
very potent medications may have some bad side effects.  What is your opinion?

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ANSWER:  If your husband's depression is not in response to a specific recent
issue, but an ongoing emotional state, medication can help him break free from
its crippling emotional burden.  Often, patients on medication experience
fatigue or drowsiness and interpret this as a side effect of the drug.  But
patients who are severely depressed at the start of treatment may experience
less side effects of sedation than a patient who is less depressed initially.
     Your doctor has many different medications and dosages to choose from,
and may use a combination of drugs to fight both depression and the anxiety
that often accompanies it, such as chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline.  For a
few days these drugs may cause the drowsiness described above, but since
insomnia is often a symptom of depression, this will actually help your
husband get much-needed sleep.
     Since medications affect different patients in different ways, it may be
necessary to change the prescription from time to time.  Many effective
medications take several days to two or three weeks to exert their full
effect, and patience is needed.  All medications available for treating
depression and anxiety do not work in the same fashion, and it may take a
while before just the right combination of useful medications can be
determined.  As you can now understand, your doctor has a constellation of
options to choose from.  None of them should be considered the answer to your
husband's depression, but a method of temporarily restoring his emotional
equilibrium.  Side effects are both temporary and usually mild.  Once on an
even keel, therapy can then help him uncover and conquer the root causes of
his depression.  Your unfailing support is a most important ingredient in his
therapy.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.