| Medication is not usually used as a first line of | | | | patient. |
| defense against manic depression. Often, the patient | | | | TCAs or Tricyclic antidepressants relieve depression |
| has to undergo psychotherapy before the doctor will | | | | by maintaining the right amount of neurotransmitters |
| finally decide if he or she needs to take | | | | in the central nervous system. Popular tricyclic |
| antidepressants. The reason for this is that the | | | | antidepressants are despiramine (Norpramin), |
| effects of these medications can differ from patient | | | | imipramine (Janimine and Trofanil), amitriptyline (Elavil), |
| to patient. And these effects can either be beneficial | | | | and nortryptyline (Pamelor) |
| or, sometimes, fatal to patients. | | | | Lithobid and Eskalith are Lithium carbonates that |
| Of course, the medications for manic depression are | | | | reduce the excessive activity of the brain. |
| designed to cure the patient suffering from it. | | | | Other antimanic medications include carbamazepine |
| However, since it is a mental illness, it cannot be | | | | (Tegretol), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and lithium |
| avoided that other patients would react negatively to | | | | citrate (Cibalith-S). |
| the drug while others find the drug relatively helpful. | | | | All these, of course, are created for the benefit of |
| Manic depression occurs when there is an imbalance | | | | the patient suffering from manic depression, |
| with the neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are | | | | especially the episodes of depression. However, since |
| chemicals that control the functions of the brain. | | | | they are drugs, the effects may not be as desirable |
| When there is an imbalance among these | | | | as they have to be; because, there are several |
| neurotransmitters, either mania or depression occurs. | | | | patients that experience several side effects in taking |
| From here, let us discuss the pros and cons of manic | | | | these drugs. |
| depression medications: | | | | Side effects could range from hair loss, motor |
| At present, there are 4 groups of antidepressants: | | | | problems, weight gain, headaches, tremor, diarrhea, |
| 1) SSRIs or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | | | | anxiety, reduced sexual performance or drive, |
| 2) MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors | | | | nausea, to dry mouth depending on what type of |
| 3) TCAs or Tricyclic | | | | medication is given. |
| 4) Lithium carbonates | | | | The occurrences of these side effects still depend on |
| SSRIs are antidepressants that fix the serotonin | | | | each patient. Some can claim that they experience at |
| levels of the brain. Popular SSRIs are sertraline | | | | least one of the mentioned side effects while others |
| (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac) | | | | can experience two or more. It should be noted that |
| citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and | | | | these are unavoidable but if the patient thinks that |
| escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro). | | | | the medication he or she is taking gives more harm |
| There are new SSRIs, the nefazodone (Serzone) and | | | | than good, the choice to continue now depends on |
| the venlafaxine (Effexor) that work not only to fix | | | | him or her with the advice of his or her doctor. |
| the serotonin levels of the brain but also another | | | | As a precautionary measure, the patient should |
| neurotransmitter, particularly the norepinephrine. | | | | consult an expert psychiatrist or a qualified doctor |
| Another antidepressant, the bupropion (Wellbutrin), | | | | with experience of handling cases of manic |
| affects dopamine and norepinephrine, more than the | | | | depression. Alternatively, ask for other types of |
| serotonin. | | | | treatment that may work more effectively like |
| MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine | | | | alternative medicines, psychotherapy, or for the |
| and tranylcypromine) inhibit the MOI (an enzyme | | | | worst cases of manic depression - electroconvulsive |
| works to break down certain neurotransmitters) at | | | | therapy. |
| the same time reinstate the normal mood of the | | | | |