Antidepressants, as the name suggests, are drugs mostly used for the treatment of depression. They are known to alter the balance of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that regulate mood, and thus improve symptoms of depression.

Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world and are often considered the first-line treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. However, recent studies have shown that antidepressants may not always work as expected and may have serious side effects.

Types of Antidepressants

There are several types of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and atypical antidepressants. SSRIs and SNRIs are the most commonly used types of antidepressants and are considered relatively safe and effective.

Do Antidepressants Work?

Antidepressants are designed to alter the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and improve symptoms of depression. However, recent studies have shown that antidepressants may not be as effective as previously thought.

A 2018 study published in The Lancet analyzed data from 522 trials involving 116,477 participants and found that while antidepressants were more effective than placebo, the difference was small.

In addition, antidepressants were found to be no more effective than counseling or psychotherapy.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2018 found that while antidepressants were effective in treating major depression, they were not effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

It is also worth noting that antidepressants can take several weeks or even months to work, and some people may not respond to them at all.

Side Effects of Antidepressants

Antidepressants can have a range of side effects, some of which can be serious. Common side effects of antidepressants include:.

Nausea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Weight gain
Insomnia

More serious side effects of antidepressants can include:.

Increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly in children and young adults
Withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped abruptly
Sexual dysfunction
Increased risk of bleeding
Increased risk of mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder

Alternatives to Antidepressants

For people who are not responding to or cannot tolerate antidepressants, there are several alternative treatments available:.

Counseling or psychotherapy
Exercise
Mindfulness-based therapies
Light therapy
Herbal supplements, such as St. John’s wort

Conclusion

Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world and are often considered the first-line treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.

However, recent studies have shown that antidepressants may not always work as expected and may have serious side effects. For people who are not responding to or cannot tolerate antidepressants, there are several alternative treatments available.