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Does depression medication work?
There is a lot that we still don’t know about antidepressants, or depression in general.
Important neurotransmitters in the brain that are affected by antidepressants includeserotonin,dopamine, and norepinephrine.
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How it affects neurotransmitters can vary from one antidepressant to the next.
Some help the brain use neurotransmitters more effectively, some increase neurotransmitter levels, and others impact neurotransmitter receptors.
By affecting these neurotransmitters, antidepressants allow a greater quantity of these neurotransmitters to remain available within the brain.
So do antidepressants work as a permanent cure for depression?
No, they do not, and the reason for this lies in how they work.
While they cause changes in brain chemistry, this effect is only temporary.
When you stop taking the antidepressant, your brain chemistry will return to its previous state.
Antidepressants do appear to be able to provide lasting benefits to those who take them.
Does this all mean that you must take an antidepressant for the rest of your life?
However, you may need to try several drugs before finding the best one for you.
A Word From Verywell
So do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants are not only effective, they are considered a first-line treatment for moderate to severe depression.
If you have symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor about which treatments might work best for you.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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