“What are the potential side effects of antidepressant medications?”
I have depression and want to take antidepressants. What are the potential side effects of antidepressant medications?
7 Answers
There are many aspects that may determine side effects. For Adolescents, sometimes antidepressants can lead to suicidal thoughts. Each antidepressant could have its own potential side effects based on your mental and physical health., Common side effects may include nausea, trouble sleeping, dry mouth and sexual problems. Some people also experience increased anxiety, dizziness, weight gain, headaches, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, tremors, and increased sweating. Speak to your Doctor about what will work best for you!
Managing your depression with medication can be an exhausting process. Finding the right antidepression with few negative side effects can be time assuming. Some potential side effects to discuss with your prescriber and/or pharmacist include: a foggy brain, unable to achieve orgasms, intense sweating, mania, unable to loose weight, feeling exhausted, acne, suicidal ideations, unable to sleep, and digestive problems. Antidepressants can help you live a superlative life but you need to remain educated about the unexpected, unwanted side effects.
Ian Michelin
Counselor/Therapist | Mental Health
Some potential side effects might be weight gain, metabolic changes, hair loss, etc. Everyone responds differently. But on the whole, if you get on SSRI's and give it at least one month, you'll feel so much better than when you started.
Thank you for asking. Please know that while depression can feel isolating, you are not alone. Supportive communities, people with answers, and people searching together to find new solutions are readily available. Also, while not being a doctor, I am a school psychologist trained to answer with general information. Keep in mind, however, that I mostly use my training for people early ages to 12th grade. I am trained to know your question in general terms. Any information beyond what I can share, please consult with your physician. Because I am an M.A., I am always going to start with a focus on health and wellness.
Because the foundation of health and wellness starts with nourishing your body, mind, soul, and spirit, tend to your spiritual, physical, and emotional needs within reasonable limits. Reflecting, tending to your moral reasoning, positive encouragement, healthy coping skills, physical health, rest, moderate sunlight (for vitamin D), and moderate exercise are known to be the best medicines and antidote. Also, a merry heart and healthy laughter have the same effects. Focusing on your needs first and foremost can alleviate symptoms and, at some point, even reduce the need for pharmaceuticals.
The potential side effects of antidepressant medications can also intensify with substance use/misuse. Thus, as a M.A. School Psychologist, I am encouraging you to monitor what substances you put in your body. If you take any other medication (inhaler for asthma, other pharmaceuticals for other needs), please consult with your physician. Be honest in health screening questionnaires. Caveat - If you are referencing a child or youth in need of antidepressant, complete a thorough and comprehensive developmental history profile. If a child was exposed to a substance in utero (from a storm region while the birth mother was pregnant, smoking of the mother, carbon monoxide, and/or other exposure), parents and physicians are strongly encouraged to avoid administering medications with stimulant side effects so as to not intensify the side effects of medication.
In general terms, the potential side effects depend upon which type of antidepressant you select. The Mayo Clinic defined five to six categories of antidepressants - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273. The National Institutes of Health defined seven categories - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538182/. I do encourage you to be familiar with this information. Please message back if you have questions.
To keep it simple and in general terms here, the level of severity, the type of antidepressant, and health status of the patient upon taking antidepressants can affect what side effects a patient does or does not experience.
Most are known for thirst, loss of appetite, dizziness, loss of sleep, and a loss of interest. Most experienced some form of those common side effects when administered the SSRIs and SNRIs. (Please refer to the links above this for those terms). However, many patients experienced the opposite with TCAs: drowsiness, fatigue, and weight gain. Please consult with a trusted doctor.
Sadly, some anti-depressants were reported to have extreme side effects, including suicidal ideation. Thus, finding a supportive physician helps. Again, resting, healthy living, mitigating substances that would intensify side effects, and minimizing stress are the foundations to charting a course with health in mind.
D.O.s and M.D.s are both physicians in most states of the U.S.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/side-effects/
You are not alone in this journey, and yet your personal feelings are real. Only you truly know how you feel. Only you can speak for yourself about your feelings even if feeling confused and uncertain. A supportive community can be a relief for you. Many are finding comfort in faith communities that support healthy living, moral character, and grace in the journey.
Please message again if you have further questions.
Because the foundation of health and wellness starts with nourishing your body, mind, soul, and spirit, tend to your spiritual, physical, and emotional needs within reasonable limits. Reflecting, tending to your moral reasoning, positive encouragement, healthy coping skills, physical health, rest, moderate sunlight (for vitamin D), and moderate exercise are known to be the best medicines and antidote. Also, a merry heart and healthy laughter have the same effects. Focusing on your needs first and foremost can alleviate symptoms and, at some point, even reduce the need for pharmaceuticals.
The potential side effects of antidepressant medications can also intensify with substance use/misuse. Thus, as a M.A. School Psychologist, I am encouraging you to monitor what substances you put in your body. If you take any other medication (inhaler for asthma, other pharmaceuticals for other needs), please consult with your physician. Be honest in health screening questionnaires. Caveat - If you are referencing a child or youth in need of antidepressant, complete a thorough and comprehensive developmental history profile. If a child was exposed to a substance in utero (from a storm region while the birth mother was pregnant, smoking of the mother, carbon monoxide, and/or other exposure), parents and physicians are strongly encouraged to avoid administering medications with stimulant side effects so as to not intensify the side effects of medication.
In general terms, the potential side effects depend upon which type of antidepressant you select. The Mayo Clinic defined five to six categories of antidepressants - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273. The National Institutes of Health defined seven categories - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538182/. I do encourage you to be familiar with this information. Please message back if you have questions.
To keep it simple and in general terms here, the level of severity, the type of antidepressant, and health status of the patient upon taking antidepressants can affect what side effects a patient does or does not experience.
Most are known for thirst, loss of appetite, dizziness, loss of sleep, and a loss of interest. Most experienced some form of those common side effects when administered the SSRIs and SNRIs. (Please refer to the links above this for those terms). However, many patients experienced the opposite with TCAs: drowsiness, fatigue, and weight gain. Please consult with a trusted doctor.
Sadly, some anti-depressants were reported to have extreme side effects, including suicidal ideation. Thus, finding a supportive physician helps. Again, resting, healthy living, mitigating substances that would intensify side effects, and minimizing stress are the foundations to charting a course with health in mind.
D.O.s and M.D.s are both physicians in most states of the U.S.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/side-effects/
You are not alone in this journey, and yet your personal feelings are real. Only you truly know how you feel. Only you can speak for yourself about your feelings even if feeling confused and uncertain. A supportive community can be a relief for you. Many are finding comfort in faith communities that support healthy living, moral character, and grace in the journey.
Please message again if you have further questions.
There are different kinds of antidepressants. The most commonly used is called SSRI, include prozac, zoloft, lexapro. Side effects are usually minor, about 10% or less patients can have dry mouth or minor stomach issues. Very rarely, may be 2-3% of time, it can cause mood swings and suicidal thoughts. It is important to work closely with a doctor to monitor such side effects.
Antidepressants can be effective for treating depression, but they may cause side effects. These vary by person and medication type. If you have any further questions or need more clarity, please consult with a psychiatrist. If youre in Texas, we welcome you to reach out to www.MidCitiesPsychiatry.com, were here to help you.
Depending on the drug and/or class of drugs, side effects can really vary. The SSRI class of antidepressants tends to have fewer side effects than the older tricyclics. However, I hear on occasion of headaches, nausea, GI distress, anticholinergic effects, and sexual side effects. Often these are mild and patients choose the benefit of the medication in spite of what ever side effect they may be experiencing. In rare occasions, psychotropic medications can lead to increased suicidal thoughts and feelings, so being followed closely by your provider in the initial weeks of your medication trial is very important. I hope this helps.
