Tricyclic Antidepressants

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) use to treat depression (Breggin, 2013). There are several therapeutic and biological alternatives being implemented to control hopelessness. Many researcher are recommending other types of treatments before psychotropic therapy is implemented (O 'Mathuna & Larimore, 2010). Some of the therapeutic alternatives are Reflexology, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), Acupuncture, Exercise, Meditation and Direct Amino Acid Therapy Maintenance (Keegan, 2001). St John’s Wort, Passionflower, Valerian and Omega 3 fatty acids are a few of the biological options available to combat depression (Keegan, 2001). The dietary supplements tryptophan and

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders, with a 12-month prevalence of 6.7% of adults in the United States (NIMH). There is no definite etiology of depression, but several risk factors have been identified. Functional and structural changes in the brain have also been explored. The most common treatment for depression is the use of drugs that act on monoamine transmitters, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Decreases in these transmitters, especially serotonin, were hypothesized to play an important role in the cause of depression (Breedlove & Watson, 2013). The serotonin hypothesis led to the development of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Further research suggests that the serotonin hypothesis is not entirely accurate and the neurobiology of depression is much more complex. The “chemical imbalance” explanation of depression may not reflect the full range of causes and may be given greater credibility by patients and doctors than is supported by evidence based research.

Thus far, I have learned about the pros and cons to using medication in treatment with clients. In addition, I have seen first hand the benefits of implementing medications in client’s treatment plan. From my understanding, Depression is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the world. Because of this fact it is important that we understand and explore all the implications surrounding the use and efficacy for treatment. In order to treat our clients with the best care possible, we as therapist should be educated on the types of medications for depression, the impact they have on the body, and their efficacy of improving symptoms and overall functioning. In this paper I will explore three articles about antidepressants and their efficacy for treating clients with depression. In addition, I will provide my overall reaction to the studies and the material provided for the efficacy of antidepressants for treating depression.

Individuals all over the world suffer with clinical depression, which affect their quality of life. Depression usually affects a person’s emotions, thoughts, behaviors and overall physical health. Symptoms include sadness, guilt, moodiness, loss of interest, with drawling from people, changes in sleep, decrease in sex drive, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The common antidepressants take at least a two-week period to take effect; that two-week period is a critical time where a patient can increase their symptoms and experience suicidal depression. The party drug, known as ketamine has recently made a big impression for neuroscientists trying to formulate a medication to help those who suffer from clinical depression in a rapid time frame. A key element in the advancement for faster medications is realizing how and why, ketamine works so quickly, in comparison to the other generic drugs that are prescribed. According to Newport, a dose of the nonselective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine can produce a constant antidepressant effect within hours. With the amount of experiments being conducted to expand the knowledge of ketamine, the objective is to find a solution that can be used to relieve the patients who experience serious symptoms in the fastest time possible.

In this paragraph, I will be presenting a counter argument as if antidepressants are really helping our culture. I will be using Robert Whitaker's point of view of how our society is overmedicating mental illness. I am using Whitaker as source of information because source is well-written and organized. Robert Whitaker is a journalist and author of Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America. Whitaker states that antidepressants are overprescribed in America, harming those who do not need them. In fact, Researchers have proven that using medical substance don't improve behaviors. In the long run, using some sort of antidepressant can worsen the disease. Whitaker quotes "If 'wonder drugs'

Robert Whitaker states that medications that doctors prescribe to patients make cases even worse than what they are to begin with(Levine). Cases can get worse if the medication is not precise. That is why it is suggested to follow up with your doctor after starting a drug they have prescribed. It is essential to tell a doctor every visit how you truly feel and how you are doing, because if you feel worse the doctors will change the prescription to fit your needs. Doctors will prescribe medicine that is FDA approved to increase serotonin levels. Tri-cycle antidepressant is not recommended by doctors to the patients that is highly suicidal. Since, they are easy to overdose on. Some side effects of the drugs they may prescribed is drowsiness,

The use of psychotropic medication can be an effective part of the therapeutic process when treating clients with major depression and other mood disorders. Segal, Kennedy, Cohen & Group CDW (2010), as cited by Sheperis (2015), affirm that a combination of medications and therapy are more effective than counseling alone when treating depression. While the clinical mental health counselor (CMHC) is not qualified to prescribe medications, they may refer the client to a medical professional when a diagnosis indicates it is warranted. (Sheperis, 2015). Once prescribed, the CMHC takes on the important role of educating and monitoring the client regarding their medications.

According to the DBSA in the US alone depression affects 6.7% of adults. This is approximately 14.8 million people who are diagnosed yearly. Depression puts you at a risk four times higher than that of a non depressed person for a heart attack. The majority of depressed peoples are women. In the medical world there are many techniques to combat depression. There are many forms of prescription antidepressants including; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Thanks to Ed Likovich, Kasey Russell, Richard Schwartz, Jacqueline Olds and Tom Hayes there is another form of prescribed antidepressant that we now know as Sunsprite.

Many people with mild to moderate depression can be successfully treated with psychotherapy and other non medical interventions such as bright light; exercise; relaxation techniques; eliminating the use of substances like recreational drugs, alcohol and caffeine; getting regular sleep; eating a balanced diet; and stress reduction. But when these interventions have been tried and failed, or when a patient's depression is severe enough to interfere with their ability to function in their work, relationships, and self-care, doctors will recommend antidepressant medications as well. There are several different classes of antidepressants to choose from, including older medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclics; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors; and others. Despite the differences in these medications' effects on neurotransmitters, chemical properties, side effects, and pharmaceutical company advertising, they all are EQUALLY EFFECTIVE in treating depression. The choice between them, therefore, is made on the basis of other factors. When deciding which antidepressants may be best for a given patient, a doctor should take into consideration several factors. The first is the patient's history. If a patient has

Antidepressants are detrimental to shellfish livening in the lakes because selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that the chemicals’ contain affect their spawning and natural behaviors. Antiepileptic drugs could trigger extensive apoptosis in the developing brains of humans leading to neurodegeneration ("Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) "). Calcium-channel blockers also affect shellfish that use calcium to make their shells ("Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)

The history of depressants stretches back thousands of years. Alcohol, the prototypical depressant, was consumed by humans as early as 10,000 B.C., as established by the discovery of beer jugs from the late Stone Age. Other natural depressants such as opium also have ancient origins. Historically, barbiturates in particular have been used as "truth serums" because people under the influence of these drugs often speak without thinking

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that requires lifelong management to be maintained. Another term frequently used for bipolar disorder is manic-depression. This stems from the extreme mood changes of highs and lows that are categorized in this disorder, as the person is usually depressed but will go through manic episodes. Although this is a chronic illness a person with BPD will at times seem symptom-free. The symptom-free person will still need to continue with their medication regimen and therapy as prescribed to maintain the disorder and prevent a relapse. Considering the effects of this mental illness the person with BPD will experience problems with maintaining personal relationships and have occupational difficulties. Suicide attempts are common for this disorder, and a great number of people with BPD will attempt suicide, at least, one time during their life. (Halter, 2014).

Used alone or in combination with other CNS depressants may lead fatal respiratory depression and to physical and psychological dependence.

The linkage of serotonin to depression has been known for the past five years. From numerous studies, the most concrete evidence of this connection is the decreased concentration of serotonin metabolites like 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues of depressed people. If depression, as suggested, is a result of decreased levels of serotonin in the brain, pharmaceutical agents that can reverse this effect should be helpful in treating depressed patients. Therefore, the primary targets of various antidepressant medications are serotonin transports of the brain. Since serotonin is activated when released by neurons into the synapse, antidepressants function at the synapse to enhance serotonin activity. Normally, serotonin's actions in the synapse are terminated by its being taken back into the neuron then releases it at which point "it is either recycled for reuse as a transmitter or broken down into its metabolic by products and transported out of the brain." As a result, antidepressants work to increase serotonin levels at the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake (2).

TCAs are known as effective drug in treating depression and it has been among the first drugs available for treating patients with depression. Despite its effectiveness, it is also known for side effects which are severe, often intolerable and sometimes fatal. As a result, they are not widely available in pharmacies and drug stores beyond clinical setting or close supervision. Ferguson, (2001) stated, “…TCAs have a narrow therapeutic index, and, at high dose, they can cause seizures as well as death due to slowing of intraventricular conduction, leading to complete heart block or ventricular reentry arrhythmias.” Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index have a narrow widow of doses for the medications to be effective, and a small difference in