Antidepressants

• Antidepressant Withdrawal

  What is antidepressant withdrawal? Antidepressant withdrawal is a problem that can happen if you stop taking your antidepressant too quickly. It can make you feel sick. This problem is sometimes called "antidepressant discontinuation syndrome" or "SSRI discontinuation syndrome." The symptoms may be...

• Antidepressants: Keeping Your Life in Balance

  Discover how your antidepressant can make life better and how to make it easier to take.

• PTSD: Treatment Options

  Learn about the treatment options for PTSD.

• Depression Medicines

  Learn how depression medicines work to help you feel better.

• Depression: Balancing Brain Chemicals

  Learn how depression medicines balance chemicals in your brain to help you feel better.

• Depression: Cost of Medicine

  Get some tips on saving money on medicine for depression.

• Medicines for Depression

  Learn how depression medicines can help and why it may take time to find the right medicine for you.

• Depression Medicine Side Effects

  Learn how to deal with common side effects of depression medicines.

• Depression Medicine: Deciding to Quit

  Learn why it's important to work with your doctor when stopping depression medicines.

• Antidepressants

  What are the most important things you need to know about your medicines? Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure...

• Depression: Taking Antidepressants Safely

  Provides guidelines to reduce problems and get the most benefit from taking antidepressants. Covers what you need to know about antidepressants, side effects, and risks. Covers how to take medicine wisely.

• Depression: Dealing With Medicine Side Effects

  Discusses dealing with side effects of antidepressants. Links to more info on medicines, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. Explains reasons to take medicine. Includes a warning to watch for serious side effects.

• Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression

  Looks at postpartum depression. Discusses causes and symptoms. Covers treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal counseling, and medicines. Offers home treatment tips. Links to more in-depth info on postpartum depression.

• Depression: Should I Take an Antidepressant?

  Guides through decision to take antidepressants for depression. Covers symptoms of depression. Lists reasons for and against antidepressants. Covers side effects. Looks at other treatments to try. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Depression: Should My Child Take Medicine to Treat Depression?

  Guides you through deciding whether your child should take medicines for depression. Offers reasons for and against. Covers side effects, including possible increase in suicidal thoughts. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Headaches: Should I Take Medicine to Prevent Migraines?

  Guides you through the decision to take drugs for migraines. Covers treatment with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Headaches: Should I Take Prescription Medicine for Tension Headaches?

  Guides through the decision to take prescription drugs for tension headaches. Covers treatment with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antianxiety medicines. Lists side effects. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Sherri's Story: Medicines Do Work

  In raising three teenagers, Sherri juggles the usual whirlwind of school, sports, friends, and family commitments. She also has duties most parents don't face. She shuttles all the kids to counseling and psychiatrist appointments and makes sure they take daily antidepressant medicines. For a long time, Sherri was so...

• Questions Your Doctor May Ask Before Prescribing Medicine for Depression in Children and Teens

  Antidepressant medicines often work well, but they do have some risks and side effects. Their use may increase the risk of suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child starts antidepressants, be sure to be aware of this risk and get help if you see any of the warning signs. Before prescribing...

• Panic Disorder: Should I Take Medicine?

  Take medicines, along with counseling or not. Get counseling for treatment of panic disorder. Two types of medicines work well for treating panic disorder. Benzodiazepines can help you feel better right away. You can take antidepressants for long-term treatment. Counseling works at least as well as...

• FDA Advisories for Antidepressants

  FDA advisories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued advisories to patients, families, and health professionals to closely monitor for warning signs of suicidal behavior in children and adults younger than 25 who take antidepressants. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when...

• Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?

  Guides through decision to take antidepressants while pregnant. Covers SSRIs (Zoloft and Prozac) and tricyclic antidepressants. Lists reasons for and against medicines. Covers benefits and risks. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Depression: Should I Stop Taking My Antidepressant?

  Guides through the decision to stop or keep taking depression medicine. Looks at benefits and risks of stopping antidepressants. Covers cognitive-behavioral therapy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.