MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SERIES

MDD — Henry is Diagnosed With Major Depressive Disorder

27th day of May — MDD affects more than 16.1 million American adults or about 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.

Henry was diagnosed with MDD just last week. He’d already been diagnosed for several anxiety disorders and was on medications for those. But now his doctor advises him to take one more med and watch himself for suicidal thoughts. Let’s look at some facts about MDD and find out about the meds out there for depression.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD)

MDD affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. Source: ADAA

What age group has the highest rate of depression 2020? Source: CDC

The percentage of adults who experienced any symptoms of depression was highest among those aged 18–29 (21.0%) aged 30–44 (16.8%) aged 45–64 (18.4%) aged 65 and over (18.4%) Women were more likely than men to experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of depression.

5 MAJOR CLASSES OF MEDICATIONS FOR DEPRESSION

Source: VeryWell Mind

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) *️⃣ Celexa (citalopram) Henry takes this once a day for anxiety *️⃣ Lexapro (escitalopram) *️⃣ Luvox (fluvoxamine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Paxil (paroxetine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Prozac (fluoxetine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Viibryd (vilazodone) *️⃣ Zoloft (sertraline) this med is also prescribed for anxiety

2. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) *️⃣ Cymbalta (duloxetine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Effexor (venlafaxine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Fetzima (levomilnacipran) *️⃣ Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Savella (milnacipran)

3. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) *️⃣ Anafranil (clomipramine) *️⃣ Asendin (amoxapine) *️⃣ Elavil (amitriptyline) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Norpramin (desipramine) *️⃣ Pamelor (nortriptyline) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Sinequan (doxepin)3 *️⃣ Surmontil (trimipramine) *️⃣ Tofranil (imipramine) this med is also prescribed for anxiety *️⃣ Vivactil (protriptyline) *️⃣ Emsam (selegiline) *️⃣ Marplan (isocarboxazid) *️⃣ Nardil (phenelzine) *️⃣ Parnate (tranylcypromine)

5. Atypical Antidepressants *️⃣ Oleptro (trazodone) and Brintellix (vortioxetine): Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) used for major depression that both inhibits serotonin reuptake and block adrenergic receptors *️⃣ Remeron (mirtazapine): A noradrenergic antagonist used for major depression, that blocks receptors of the stress hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) on the brain *️⃣ Symbax: Combines the SSRI fluoxetine with the antipsychotic drug fluoxetine to treat bipolar depression or treatment-resistant depression *️⃣ Wellbutrin (bupropion): Classified as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder as well as a smoking cessation aid Henry takes this once a day for depression

So now we know that Henry takes Celexa daily for anxiety and depression, since this medication treats both issues. He’s now added Wellbutrin once a day for depression.

WELLBUTRIN SIDE EFFECTS

Source: NAMI

Headache, weight loss, dry mouth, trouble sleeping (insomnia), nausea, dizziness, constipation, fast heartbeat, and sore throat. These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.

CELEXA SIDE EFFECTS

Source: NAMI

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.

Notice the similarities? Differences? Poor Henry. He’s getting it from both ends!

Thanks for reading today’s Mental Health Awareness article. Stay tuned for another one tomorrow. In the meantime, happy reading, and writing, and please strive to be all-around healthy!

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