Are Meds Doing more Harm than Good with Depression Treatments?

SSRIs, SNRIs, and Tricyclic Antidepressants are common treatments for various depressive disorders, including MDD. But medications have potentially serious side effects. That’s why many people nowadays are turning to hybrid therapies to treat their depression. Non-surgical treatments are gaining favor with patients, notably TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as a viable alternative (or add-on) to surgical options and medicine. With TMS, patients undergo short sessions daily (up to 5X per week) for 4-6 weeks. TMS treatment involves sending targeted pulses to problematic regions of the brain. Over time, TMS has been shown to improve symptoms and alleviate symptoms of depression.

Detailed studies show that medications can sometimes do more harm than good. For example, they may treat anxiety-related disorders, but they can also have severe and unintended side effects. So, let’s take a look at the most commonly prescribed anti-depressant medications and the side effects associated with each of them.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes: fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), and citalopram (Celexa). These medications work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in mood, sleep, and appetite.

Common side effects of SSRIs include nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

Serious side effects associated with SSRIs include an increased risk of bleeding, mania/hypomania, seizures, low sodium levels in the blood (which can lead to confusion and coma), and an increased risk of suicide.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes: venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima). These medications work by increasing levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine is another neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in mood, attention, and sleep.

Common side effects associated with SNRIs include nausea, headache, dizziness, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

Serious side effects associated with SNRIs include an increased risk of bleeding, mania/hypomania, seizures, low sodium levels in the blood (which can lead to confusion and coma), and an increased risk of suicide.

Tricyclic anti-depressants are a class of drugs that includes: amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor). These medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.

They are typically used for treating major depressive disorder and other conditions like bedwetting, chronic pain, and migraines.

Common side effects of tricyclic anti-depressants include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention, drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain.

Serious side effects associated with tricyclic anti-depressants include irregular heartbeat, which can lead to heart failure or sudden death, seizures, low sodium levels in the blood (which can lead to confusion and coma), and an increased risk of suicide.

There are many other types of medications that are used to treat depression.

St. John’s Wort is a popular herbal medication for treating depression. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin.

Common side effects of St. John’s Wort include gastrointestinal upset, skin rash, fatigue, and photosensitivity.

Serious side effects associated with St. John’s Wort include increased risk of bleeding, mania/hypomania, and interactions with other medications (such as anti-depressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners).

Many spiritual healer medications are used to treat depression. These include chamomile, lavender, valerian root, Ginkgo Biloba, and passionflower. These herbs work by increasing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or by reducing stress levels.

Common side effects of spiritual healer medications include headache, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness.

Serious side effects associated with spiritual healer medications are rare. Still, they can include seizures and coma (if taken in large doses) and interactions with other medicines (such as birth control pills and blood thinners).

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting needles into specific points of the body. It is sometimes used for treating depression. The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is unknown, but it is thought to stimulate the release of endorphins which can improve mood.

Common side effects associated with acupuncture include: bruising at needle insertion sites, dizziness, fainting, and headaches.

Serious side effects associated with acupuncture are rare but can include: punctured lungs, infections, and nerve damage.

Medications can be very effective for treating depression, but they also have the potential for serious side effects. Before starting any treatment, it is important to discuss the medication’s risks and benefits with a mental health professional. There are many different types of treatment for depression, and no one treatment is suitable for everyone.

Working with a mental health professional is necessary to find the best treatment plan for you. A combination of medication and therapy may be the most effective approach for some people. Others may find alternative treatments like TMS, ECT, DBS, acupuncture, or meditation helpful. The most important thing is to find a treatment plan that works for you and stick with it.