Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can severely affect your daily life, thoughts, and emotions. In this way, it makes engaging in routine and going about daily tasks more difficult. It also causes a persistent feeling of emptiness, unhappiness, and hopelessness.

Unfortunately, depression is common, with the CDC estimating that 1 in 6 adults experience depression at least once in their life. Moreover, WHO considers depression as the main cause of disability around the globe.

However, there are some ways to manage depression symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychotherapy is usually the first treatment when it comes to managing depression. It’s proven to be an effective form of treatment against depression and its symptoms. More often, these treatments accompany pharmaceutical treatment as well.

CBT is a structured and didactic form of psychotherapy designed to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought. It bases on how patients with depression are characterized to have an unhealthy outlook on their personality, their future, and experiences (the cognitive triad). CBT aims to identify these thinking and behavioral patterns to modify them.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Medical professionals suggest this treatment for major depressive disorders. It aims to alleviate symptoms by improving the patient’s interpersonal functioning.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medical professionals tend to prescribe SSRIs the most because they have fewer side effects. This antidepressant helps by boosting the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain.

However, there are still some risks of SSRIs—for example, you can’t take them with drugs like MAOIs. Moreover, you should also talk to your healthcare professional about taking it during pregnancy.

Serotonin And Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (Snris)

These antidepressants work to boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. Like SSRIs, it’s better to not take these medicines with MAOIs. You should also be careful about taking them if you have glaucoma or issues with your kidneys and liver.

Noradrenaline And Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)

These are atypical antidepressants, unlike the others that work by boosting the levels of dopamine and noradrenaline.

Tricyclic And Tetracyclic Antidepressants

TCAs and TECAs are also antidepressants that boost neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. However, these antidepressants may have more side effects than the other two options.

These side-effects typically include:

1. Blurred vision
2. Drowsiness
3. Constipation
4. Blood pressure decrease
5. Increased appetite
6. Low libido
7. Urinary retention
8. Tremor
9. Weight loss

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

MAOIs are also atypical antidepressants that increase the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and tyramine. These are not medical professionals’ first choices due to safety concerns. As a result, your medical practitioner may prescribe them if other treatments were unsuccessful.

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