How do I Choose the Best Antidepressant Medication?

There are many different factors used to determine what antidepressant medication will work best for each individual. Medical history and the symptoms of your depression are important considerations. In addition, you will want to make sure your antidepressant medication does not pose the threat of dangerous interaction with any other medications you may be taking. Your doctor should be willing to work closely with you in determining what medication will work best to treat your specific needs.

Some antidepressants cause mild to serious side effects. Sometimes there is no way to tell whether a patient will suffer these side effects until the drug is actually administered. Most of the time, if side effects are going to be a problem, the patient will begin to experience them within a couple of months. Your doctor may try a number of medications before finding one that is right for you.

Some of the milder side effects common to many types of antidepressant medications include skin rashes, constipation, and weight gain. More serious side effects include difficulty breathing, sexual disorders, and even death. Problems with sexual performance seem to be a common side effect of most types of antidepressants.

If you happen to have a family member who has successfully used an antidepressant medication, there is a good chance the same medication will also work for you. This is especially true if the relative is from your immediate family, such as a parent or sibling. If this is the case, you should share this information with your doctor.

One of the main things your doctor will look at in determining what type of antidepressant medication to use is the risk of drug interaction. If you are already taking medication for heart or blood pressure problems, this may limit your antidepressant choices. In addition, any antidepressant may have the potential to interact badly with some prescription drugs, so it is important you let your doctor know about any drugs you are taking.

If your doctor determines you are not a good candidate for antidepressant medication, there are some natural alternatives you might want to explore. Many people find therapy and counseling helpful in combating depression. In many cases, depression is a result of situations in life that naturally lead to unhappiness. Sometimes a therapist can help people learn to deal with these problems so that the depression does not become overwhelming. Other natural treatments for depression include acupuncture, hypnotism, and light therapy.