SAN ANTONIO - Depression, often confused with sadness or perceived as weakness, is a serious illness that affects over 20 million people in the United States alone. When a person is depressed their brain chemistry is affected. Therefore, a depressed person cannot control this disorder by exerting willpower or simply snapping out of it; they require treatment.
People who suffer from depression experience symptoms which affect their ability to perform and enjoy daily activities. These symptoms include: hopelessness, restlessness, worthlessness, extreme sadness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, loss of interest, guilt, and thoughts or attempts at suicide.
There are several options for the treatment of depression that vary depending on the symptoms and their severity, as well as a patient’s medical history. The most commonly used are psychotherapy and treatment with antidepressant medications.
Although the number of antidepressant categories is relatively extensive, the most prominently prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants.
Named after the brain chemicals they target, these antidepressants generally prove effective after adequate treatment periods. However, since their goal is not to cure depression but to improve symptoms, for some people progress may take longer to come or not come at all. If this is the case, your doctor may adjust your treatment by increasing dosages of current antidepressant, adding additional medications to current treatment, or even changing medications altogether.
If you are currently on an antidepressant and feel you need more help, or if you have tried antidepressants in the past with little to no success, Clinical Trials of Texas, Inc. may be able to help. We are currently conducting studies for people with depression. Call us at 210-949-0122 or visit us at
SAresearch.com for more information.
