Antidepressant Drugs-A Broad Spectrum Of Choices
Today you’re apt to realize if you haven’t noticed already; that there are just as many antidepressant drugs on the market than there ever were. In fact just as many, if not more than cardiovascular drugs and a variety of the broad spectrum antibiotics for example. Sometimes we find that there are so many choices to pick from; that we could literally drive ourselves nuts before we get to the psychiatrist's office. In addition to this many people from all walks of life find that they, a friend or maybe even family member; are on one of the better known antidepressants prescribed by doctors today.
I happen to know this not just because of working within the pharmaceutical industry; but by speaking to countless people on my travels day in and day out. I usually hear this from the Fred’s, the Mary’s, Dick's and even the Jane’s along the way. From the friends of your friends and yes from your relatives included. It certainly seems like there are more and more people taking a popular named antidepressant today. Among a few of those medicines of mention, you might have heard…Abilify, Lexapro, Pristiq, Savella and Cymbalta, to name a few of the many.
Since the beginning of the antidepressant era, large pharmaceutical companies; like Eli Lilly and GlaxoSmithKline and Wyeth. These are a few of the big name manufacturers; who given us Prozac and Paxil, Effexor XR and a few more. These are now mere babes of what were once more popular drugs utilized in treating major depressive disorder. However do not discount these former three popular serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, because they are still actively prescribed for many today.
And in addition they, for the most part manage to still work very well, as far as efficacy goes. Continuing to help combat those deeply instilled feelings of sadness and hopelessness; for many individuals in our society today. Yes this is still without doubt a world not completely weaned off of prozac. It is also world where we have not forgotten Wellbutrin either. These are among the once commonly prescribed antidepressant drug therapies still quite popular and used by many healtcare practitioners today. Sometimes they are used to treat one type of depression and than again they may also be used in conjunction with one another; to treat bipolar disorder and/or a variety of anti-social disorders.
Most of the newer antidepressant drugs on the market today are what is called DRSSRI’s; or (Dual Reuptake Selective Serotonin Inhibitors). Basically what this means, is that these types of drugs target not one, like the older SSRI’s (Single Selective Reuptake Inhibitors) do. But in essence two brain chemicals-both Serotonin and Norepinephrine respectively. These drugs over a period of two to four weeks do accomplish the task they were designed for. And that is to help people cope with major depressive episodes and related social anxiety disorder. Sure these drugs may be a quick fix for some, having not been able to beat their individual illnesses by utilizing other conventional means. But by far antidepressant therapy is not the final or only solution for those suffering from Bipolar disorder or related major depressive illness.
Psychotherapy in conjunction with prescription drug therapy can with time help the afflicted one, to eventually reach his or her goal. Depression and Anxiety are just like any other disease. (ie), Diabetes and heart disease. These diseases like depression may never be totally eradicated, but with the assistance from modern medications; they in turn will only help those with these disease processes live a better quality of life.
In addition some of the older medications still prescribed today, (ie.) Elavil and Neurontin are also used to treat not only depression, but have been used effectively in the past, for treating chronic back pain for example. This has also been found to be true, with one of the newer antidepressant drugs on the market today-Cymbalta. Cymbalta is not only effective for treating major depressive disorder, but it has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia and chronic back pain.
So one can see and feel reassured at the same time, in knowing that the choice of antidepressants available to treat their individual woes; is really not as limited as some may have originally thought. Just as there are a broad spectrum of antibiotics available to treat a variety of bacterial diseases, there is also an arsenal of new and improved antidepressant medications there to help you. So when in doubt always ask your healthcare practitioner for further advice. And remember there is always that glimmer of light shining at the end of the tunnel for all who are always feeling that gloom and doom. Never give up hope on yourself or a loved one.
