Antidepressant drugs work by increasing the availability
of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Neurotransmitters
are neccessary for each nerve in the brain to send messages to
other nerves. To ensure our usual range of mood, several parts
of the brain are important. The information needed to maintain
our mood is transported with chemical signals. In some forms of
depression these signals tend to be too weak to pass on the information
correctly.
Antidepressant medications can strenghten the signal and help
return to a normal mood range. Serotonin and norepinepherine
are the most common chemical messengers affected by antidepressants. To fully respond to these antidepressants, it
often takes 2 to 4 weeks, although some people may respond much
quicker.
Some depression facts:
* About 50% of the population experiences
a psychiatric disorder at least once in their lifetime.
* About 85% of depression sufferers can be successfully
treated with antidepressants.
* About 38% of depressed patients develop poor-fair
emotional health if not diagnosed or treated effectively.
* About 16% of depressed patients develop financial
dependency if not diagnosed or treated effectively.
* About 15% of depressed patients attempt suicide.
