Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have a long and prosperous history as medications for major depressive disorder (MDD). But this type of antidepressant has mostly seen its day.
Though MAOIs are effective at treating depression, they’re more likely to cause severe side effects and interactions than newer antidepressants.
Today, MAOIs are only prescribed in certain circumstances — like when other meds just aren’t doing the trick. If your healthcare provider has recommended an MAOI, it’s probably because you’re struggling with the side effects or failing to see results from an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or another type of medication.
Concerned about the switch? Wondering what to expect? We got you.
Below, we’ll explain what MAOIs are and how they work to treat depression, panic disorder and other conditions. We’ll also list some of the most common MAOI medications, the risks and side effects associated with MAOIs, drug interactions you should be aware of, how long they take to work and how to use them safely.
Let’s get started.
What Are MAOIs?
The first MAOI medications were introduced in the 1950s and were widely prescribed for depression and other conditions. In addition to depression, some MAOIs were prescribed to treat social phobia, panic disorder, treatment-resistant depression and depression with certain features (like overeating and oversleeping).
MAOIs are also used to treat other health conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Like other antidepressants (including tricyclic antidepressants and serotonergic medications), MAOIs work by changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters that circulate throughout your brain and body.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that deliver messages to and from nerve cells, allowing these cells to communicate with each other. They’re responsible for a wide range of functions in your body, from forming and storing memories to regulating your heart and other organs.
Some neurotransmitters play a role in regulating your moods, motivation and mental state. Low levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, are linked to depression.
MAOIs change the level of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, as well as the neurotransmitter tyramine. They do this by blocking an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for breaking down those neurotransmitters.
By blocking the effects of monoamine oxidase, MAOIs raise the levels of these neurotransmitters allowing them to continue working on the cells affected by depression. This can help improve the symptoms of depression and, for many people, assist in long-term recovery.
MAOIs are effective. But over the last few decades, the use of MAOIs has declined in favor of newer antidepressants.
Today, newer classes of antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, have become the standard first-line treatment of depression — with MAOIs only rarely prescribed to people with depression.
Their high risk of causing side effects means people who use them often need to make lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of experiencing interactions, such as avoiding certain foods and medications.
Another problem? The dosing.
Depending on the specific MAOI you’re prescribed, you’ll typically need to take your medication one to four times a day. For example, Nardil, a popular brand of phenelzine, is typically taken at a starting dosage of one tablet (15 milligrams) three times daily.
Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider, and only take your medication exactly as prescribed. Some MAOIs, like selegiline (Emsam, specifically), are sold as transdermal patches. You’ll need to apply this type of medication to your skin as instructed by your healthcare provider.
It may take several weeks before you start to notice the effects of your medication. If you think your antidepressant medication isn’t working the way it should, don’t adjust your dosage or stop taking it on your own — instead, talk to your healthcare provider.
Like other antidepressants, MAOIs can often take several weeks to start working. For example, it can take four weeks or longer before you begin to notice the full benefits of phenelzine, one of several commonly used monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
List of MAO Inhibitors
Several monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are available, though not all are still in use as antidepressants, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Here are some of the current FDA-approved MAOIs for treating depression:
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Phenelzine. Sold under the brand name Nardil, phenelzine is prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
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Isocarboxazid. Sold under the brand name Marplan, isocarboxazid is prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
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Tranylcypromine. Sold under the brand name Parnate, tranylcypromine is prescribed to treat depression (specifically major depressive disorder) and anxiety disorders.
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Selegiline. Sold under the brand name Emsam, selegiline is prescribed to treat depression. Also sold under the brand names Zelapar and Eldepryl, selegiline is also approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) Side Effects
Compared to newer antidepressants, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, MAOIs are more likely to cause certain side effects and interactions.
Side effects of MAOIs include the following:
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Dizziness
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Headache
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Drowsiness
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Sleep disturbances, including insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness)
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Fatigue
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Weakness
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Tremors
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Twitching
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Myoclonic movements (sudden, involuntary jerking of muscles)
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Hyperreflexia (overactive or overly responsive reflexes)
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Constipation
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Dry mouth
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Gastrointestinal disturbances
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Elevated levels of liver enzymes
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Weight gain
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Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure upon standing)
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Edema (swelling)
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Intimacy disturbances, such as difficulty climaxing, ED and anorgasmia
MAOI Interactions and Other Precautions
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of MAOIs is that they interact with other medications, as well as certain foods and beverages. If you’re prescribed any type of MAOI, it’s important to be aware of the following safety issues:
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Drug interactions. MAOIs can interact with other medications, including other types of antidepressants, as well as some pain and allergy medications and even herbal supplements. Some drug interactions involving MAOIs can be severe and potentially fatal. If you’re prescribed an MAOI, check with your healthcare provider before using any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements or herbal products.
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Food interactions. MAOIs can interact with foods containing tyramine and cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure (more on that later). You’ll need to avoid certain foods while using this type of medication. Your healthcare provider will provide a list of foods to avoid while using any type of MAOI to treat depression or another condition.
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Drink interactions. MAOIs can interact with certain drinks, such as beer, some types of wine and others that contain high levels of tyramine. Talk to your healthcare provider about which drinks are safe and which should be avoided while using this type of medication. Drinking alcohol with MAOIs is not recommended. FDA labels for Nardil, Marplan and Parnate warn against using alcohol with MAOIs, as it can increase your risk of side effects.
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Pregnancy. Some antidepressants, including MAOIs, may be unsafe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If your partner currently uses antidepressants, make sure they talk to their healthcare provider about safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Weight gain. Antidepressants are commonly associated with weight gain. Though the link is smaller than many people think, some antidepressants, including TCAs and MAOIs, may cause a small amount of weight gain over the long term.
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Serotonin syndrome. Although uncommon, MAOIs can cause serotonin syndrome when used with other medications or supplements that affect the level of serotonin in the body. If you’re currently prescribed an MAOI or another antidepressant, check with your healthcare provider before using other medications, herbal products or supplements.
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Black box warning. As with other antidepressants, MAOIs carry a “black box” warning from the FDA about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in children, teenagers and young adults.
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Withdrawal symptoms and discontinuation syndrome. Like other antidepressants, stopping MAOIs abruptly (aka discontinuation) may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
What to Know About MAOI Food Interactions
One of the key features of MAOIs is that they prevent your body from breaking down tyramine — a naturally occurring trace amine found in certain foods and drinks.
If you’re prescribed an MAOI, consuming foods or drinks containing tyramine may cause you to develop an excessively high serum tyramine concentration. Tyramine toxicity can cause a sudden life-threatening increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure is dangerous and, in some cases, even deadly.
To use an MAOI safely, your healthcare provider will tell you to avoid foods that contain large amounts of tyramine. Make sure not to consume the following foods or drinks when taking any type of MAOI medication:
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Cheese. Many cheeses contain tyramine. Avoid eating cheese while you’re prescribed any type of MAOI medication. Cheeses with a strong taste and aged cheeses are usually the highest in tyramine and most likely to interact with MAOIs. Unaged cheeses made with pasteurized milk may be safe to consume, but check with your healthcare provider first.
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Dried, cured, smoked or processed meats. Avoid any meats treated with salt and nitrate, like salami, as well as smoked or processed meats. Any meats prepared using tenderizers should also be avoided.
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Dried and overripe fruits. This includes prunes and raisins, as well as overripe avocados and bananas.
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Fermented or pickled foods. Things like sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi and tofu should generally be avoided.
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Various sauces. Fish sauce, miso, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce and shrimp sauce could interact with MAOI medication.
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Yeast. Spreads and breads containing yeast extract, such as brewer’s yeast, marmite and sourdough bread, should be avoided.
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Alcoholic drinks. This includes red wine, fortified wine, beer and certain liqueurs.
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Soy products and soybeans.
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Broad beans (fava beans) and snow peas.
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Spoiled foods.
If you’re prescribed an MAOI, ask your healthcare provider for a full list of foods to avoid while taking the medication. Clinicians and other healthcare providers can also offer guidance on what to do if you accidentally consume an unsafe food or drink.
MAO Inhibitors: Final Takeaways
MAOIs are a potentially useful class of drugs if you’re struggling to find the right fit. The only problem is they’re going to bring along some extra…problems.
It’s hard to weigh the pros and cons for you. Instead, here’s a cheat sheet to help you make the right choice for your unique situation.
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Your healthcare provider may prescribe an MAOI if other antidepressants haven’t helped treat your depression.
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Today, MAOIs are rarely prescribed as a treatment for depression. Most cases of depression are now treated with SSRIs or SNRIs, which are effective and less likely to produce side effects.
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MAOI use has declined over the last few decades as newer antidepressant classes have become available. This is largely due to their high risk of side effects and the interactions associated with MAOI use.
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Adverse effects can come from a number of places, including contraindicated medications and foods. As such, you may need to take on dietary restrictions while on MAOIs to avoid a hypertensive crisis.
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If you no longer want to use an MAOI to treat depression or feel like you don’t need medication anymore, talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes.
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Your healthcare provider may advise you to reduce your dosage gradually over time to avoid or minimize any withdrawal-related side effects.
This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Your Guide to the 6 Most Common Types of Depression Medications
Maybe you’re neck-deep in a two-week funk you just can’t seem to shake, or perhaps you’ve been struggling with severe depression for years. No matter how long it lasts, depression can feel downright isolating when you’re going through it. But no matter how lonely you feel, you’re not alone.
The reality is, roughly 21 million adults in the U.S. experienced a major depressive episode in 2021. There’s good news, though. Depression is highly treatable.
Along with mental health resources like talk therapy and support groups, medication for depression — also known as antidepressants — can be an extremely effective tool for improving your symptoms as well as your overall quality of life.
With the guidance of a healthcare provider, you can learn what your options are and choose the best one for your unique needs.
There’s no “best” depression medication for everyone — and you don’t necessarily need to have depression to benefit from medication. In fact, antidepressants are often used as a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. Some medications share similar effects, while others work differently to target symptoms.
So it’s only natural to wonder, How do I know what medication is best for me?
It’s entirely dependent on the individual (and is something your provider can help you determine). Still, it’s helpful to have a general understanding of what the most common medications are for treating depression, how they work and what side effects of antidepressants you should be aware of.
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Antidepressants are a class of medications used very commonly to treat depression. In fact, nearly 13 percent of people 12 and over in the U.S. used antidepressants in 2017, according to the American Psychological Association.
Symptoms of depression include feeling sad, a sense of hopelessness, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, trouble sleeping and weight gain or loss. Some people experience short-term depression following a specific life event (like losing a job or the death of a loved one) and for others, the mental health condition lasts years.
But no matter the circumstances, antidepressants can make a big difference if you’re struggling. They work to regulate your mood and reduce symptoms by targeting certain neurotransmitters (aka brain chemicals) like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
The most common types of antidepressants include:
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
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Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
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Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
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Dopamine reuptake inhibitors (DRIs) and norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
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Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
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Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs)
The above list may (understandably) seem a little overwhelming, but don’t fret. We’ll break down how each kind of antidepressant works and the most common prescription medications associated with each one — some of which may even sound familiar.
(Related: How To Get Antidepressants)
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work by boosting your serotonin levels. Serotonin, a brain messenger that you might know as the “happy hormone” (along with dopamine and others), helps regulate your mood as well as other functions like memory, social behavior and sleep. SSRIs are part of a newer class of medications and tend to be better tolerated than the older TCAs or MAOIs.
In addition to different types of depression, like major depressive disorder (MDD), SSRIs are prescribed by healthcare providers to treat a wide range of other psychiatric disorders. This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The most common SSRIs are:
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Fluoxetine (Prozac)
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Sertraline (Zoloft)
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Escitalopram (Lexapro)
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Paroxetine (Paxil)
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Fluvoxamine (Luvox or Faverin)
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Citalopram (Celexa or Cipramil)
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Fluoxetine, sold under the name (Prozac), is one of the most popular antidepressants prescribed in the U.S. While commonly prescribed to treat depression, it’s also used for treating panic disorder, OCD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and eating disorders like bulimia.
For depression, the starting dose for fluoxetine is usually 20 milligrams per day. Research shows it typically takes four to six weeks to fully feel its impact.
Fluoxetine has common side effects, like many antidepressants, and some people who take this drug have trouble concentrating. Depending on how it makes you feel, it may be best to opt out of activities like driving when first taking fluoxetine.
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Sertraline, sold under the name Zoloft, is similar to fluoxetine in that it’s also an SSRI used to treat depression and other mental health conditions like social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sertraline is approved to be taken at 25 to 200 milligrams per day. Like other SSRIs, the dosage may change depending on how you feel and what your symptoms are.
Similarly, when it comes to treating depression, sertraline, like other antidepressants, can take four to eight weeks — although sometimes longer — in order to fully feel its effects.
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Escitalopram, sold under the name Lexapro, is most commonly used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
According to a 2018 review, escitalopram is one of the most effective and tolerable antidepressants on the market. Beyond depression and anxiety, it’s also occasionally prescribed off-label to help treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder syndrome.
Like many SSRIs, escitalopram is meant for daily use. It’s usually prescribed at 10 milligrams with a maximum recommended dosage of 20 milligrams. You may be unsurprised to learn that it takes anywhere from four to eight weeks for escitalopram to do everything it’s capable of, although most people start to notice initial positive effects of antidepressants in about two weeks.
Escitalopram and SSRIs have lower toxicity profiles than older antidepressants (we’ll get to these below). But they’ve been linked to more negative side effects, such as insomnia, arousal dysfunction, increased sweating and nausea.
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Paroxetine, sold under the name Paxil, isn’t prescribed as often as fluoxetine, sertraline or escitalopram. But it’s still one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the country.
Not only is paroxetine used to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it can also be used in low doses to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
When it comes to dosages for depression, providers typically start patients at 20 milligrams a day, with a maximum dosage of 50 milligrams. IParoxetine is intended to be used daily, although, like most SSRIs, it can take as many as eight weeks to fully work.
As far as side effects go, there’s a range. But one 2016 review suggests that paroxetine may be one of the least safe antidepressants. Of course, as with any medication, consult with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have.
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Fluvoxamine, sold under the name Luvox or Faverin, is an SSRI commonly used to treat OCD in adults and children 8 and older. It’s also sometimes prescribed off-label for major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder and eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
It’s typically recommended that adults start with 50 milligrams at bedtime, with increases of 50 milligrams every four to seven days as tolerated — but not to exceed 300 milligrams per day.
Fluvoxamine has similar side effects to other SSRIs, and it can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to feel its maximum effects. There are more serious side effects, like low sodium blood levels and an increased risk of bleeding, however rare.
It’s also important to note that fluvoxamine shouldn’t be taken with or within six weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which we’ll dive into soon.
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Citalopram, sold under the name Celexa or Cipramil, is an SSRI designed to treat both mild and severe depression. Additionally, it can also be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, alcoholism, panic attacks (and panic disorder), social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and even some neuropathic pain related to diabetes.
Healthcare providers tend to start patients at a 20-milligram dose once a day, potentially increasing to 40 milligrams per day as the maximum dose. A larger dose increases the risk of adverse side effects, like abnormal bleeding, serotonin syndrome and heart issues.
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Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are very similar to SSRIs in that they’re also responsible for increasing serotonin levels. However, they double up by targeting a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, stimulates your cardiovascular system and is involved in your body’s fight-or-flight response, among other tasks. Low norepinephrine is linked to symptoms like lethargy and concentration issues.
By simultaneously targeting serotonin andnorepinephrine, SNRIs can be effective in treating both depression and anxiety, particularly if SSRIs as a treatment hasn’t already been successful. However, in most cases, SSRIs are just as effective as SNRIs.
Some of the most common SNRIs are:
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Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
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Venlafaxine (Effexor)
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Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
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Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq and Khedezla)
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Duloxetine, sold under the name Cymbalta, is an SNRI that helps manage symptoms of MDD, GAD, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia and chronic musculoskeletal pain. It’s also prescribed off-label for stress urinary incontinence and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Duloxetine is one of the most commonly used prescription medications in the U.S. Patients with depression are usually prescribed 40 to 60 milligrams per day, with a potential increase of up to 120 milligrams daily.
While most side effects tend to be mild, there’s always a risk of more serious ones.
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Venlafaxine, sold under the name Effexor, is another common SNRI prescribed to those with depression, social anxiety and cataplexy, which can cause sudden muscle weakness. When prescribed off-label, venlafaxine can also be used to treat neuropathic pain and certain menopause symptoms.
For targeting depression, four six to eight weeks is the typical time it takes for venlafaxine to reach its full effectbegin to work. The starting dose is usually 75 milligrams, but it can be increased to a maximum safe dose of 225 milligrams daily.
Similar to SNRIs, venlafaxine can come with a mixed bag of side effects, although the most common ones tend to be temporary and on the mild side.
While they work similarly, the biggest difference between Cymbalta and Effexor is how they’re administered when it comes to treating psychiatric conditions.
Cymbalta is primarily used to treat GAD and MDD, but it can also help with neuropathic pain. Effexor, on the other hand, is most known for treating major depression, social anxiety disorder, certain types of neuropathy, hot flashes, migraines and PTSD.
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Levomilnacipran, sold under the name Fetzima, is a newer SNRI antidepressant. It got an FDA seal of approval in 2009 as an approved treatment for MDD, but it’s not typically prescribed to treat anxiety or chronic pain conditions.
Since it’s still relatively new, levomilnacipran may not be as commonly prescribed as duloxetine or older antidepressants. It tends to be prescribed at a dosage of 40 to 120 milligrams per day.
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Desvenlafaxine, sold under the names Pristiq and Khedezla, is an SNRI used primarily to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It can also be prescribed off-label to treat hot flashes for women going through menopause.
Research shows that although the FDA hasn’t approved desvenlafaxine for this age group, it can potentially treat MDD among treatment-resistant teenagers.
The recommended starting dose is 50 milligrams, with the maximum dose of desvenlafaxine being 400 milligrams. It may interfere with other medications and shouldn’t be taken with (or within two weeks of taking) MAOIs.
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Milnacipran, sold under the name Savella, is an outlier in this group of medications. While it’s an SNRI, it hasn’t been approved by the FDA to treat depression.
Instead, it’s used to treat fibromyalgia, a chronic condition involving muscle and tissue pain in the body. Milnacipran is typically taken twice a day.
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Tricyclic antidepressants are a type of antidepressant introduced in the 20th century. They’re some of the first prescription medications to be approved by the FDA for use. Some people still use TCAs, though generally not for depression. These days, it’s typically prescribed as a sleeping pill or for neuropathic pain. However, if you’re experiencing depression and SSRIs or SNRIs aren’t effective, your healthcare provider might suggest TCAs as an alternative.
Common TCA depression medications include:
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Amitriptyline (Elavil)
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Doxepin (Silenor)
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Amoxapine
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Clomipramine
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Desipramine
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Imipramine
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Nortriptyline
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Protriptyline
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Trimipramine
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Amitriptyline, sold under the name Elavil, is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression, especially when other medications aren’t effective. It’s also used to treat certain forms of chronic and neuropathic pain.
Amitriptyline tends to be a more alternative prescription treatment, but it’s still prescribed to millions of people each year. Currently, amitriptyline is a generic drug that isn’t available as a brand-name medication.
Similar to other TCAs, amitriptyline is more likely to cause certain side effects than newer medications. A study by JAMA Psychiatry found that amitriptyline is one of the depression medications most commonly linked to weight gain.
Due to its side effects, amitriptyline isn’t commonly used as a first-line treatment for depression.
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Another well-known TCA is doxepin, sold under the name Silenor. Doxepin is rarely used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It can also be used to treat skin conditions like hives, atopic dermatitis and other conditions associated with skin pruritus (when used topically).
It’s also commonly used as a low-dose sleeping pill to help with acute and chronic insomnia.
Formally introduced in the 1960s, like other TCAs, doxepin is an older medication that isn’t typically a first choice in treating depression.
Other TCAs are out there that people still use. Although due to their risk of side effects, they’re rarely used for depression and anxiety.
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At present, only one norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor is approved by the FDA to treat depression: bupropion (Wellbutrin). It boosts the concentration of norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters throughout the brain.
NDRIs are a newer class of antidepressants and tend to have fewer side effects than other antidepressants.
DRIs tend to treat conditions like narcolepsy, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and lethargy. They can also be used as a smoking cessation treatment and might be helpful in treating obesity and binge-eating disorder.
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Making their debut in the 1950s, monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a type of antidepressant primarily prescribed in the past to treat major depressive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder and nervous system disorders.
Though use has decreased over the past few decades as newer antidepressants have been swapped in, MAOIs are still prescribed in some cases. For example, in rare cases your healthcare provider might recommend an MAOIs if you’ve been diagnosed with a depressive disorder but aren’t feeling better despite using an SSRI plus other treatments.
MAOIs can be an effective medication option, but they’re very likely to cause severe side effects that could affect your daily life.
(Related: Wellbutrin vs Adderall: Differences and Similarities)
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There’s no shortage of MAOI medications, including many older ones that are no longer prescribed. MAOIs approved by the FDA to treat depression include:
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Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
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Phenelzine (Nardil)
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Selegiline (Emsam)
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Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
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As you might’ve guessed, tetracyclic antidepressants are yet another older class of antidepressants. Entering the fold in the 1970s, they not only sound similar to tricyclic antidepressants but also act similarly.
Like TCAs, TeCAs were once widely prescribed, but their demand has slowed down. They’re still occasionally used to treat cases of depression that don’t respond to other medications.
There are various TeCAs to choose from, but mirtazapine (Remeron) wins the “Most Popular” superlative. In addition to depression, certain TeCAs may also help treat anxiety disorders, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia and insomnia.
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Depression can be debilitating, but antidepressants can give you the life jacket you didn’t know you needed. Don’t wait until you feel like you’re underwater before seeking help.
With guidance from a healthcare professional, be it your primary care provider or a psychiatrist, you can find a treatment plan best suited to your needs.
In the meantime, remember:
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Depression looks different to everyone — and so does medication. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to depression, and the same applies to antidepressants. What works for your friend, teacher or mailman may not work for you — and that’s okay. Everyone’s brain is different, so it makes sense that there’s no “magic pill” everyone can use.
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Opening up helps. Whether it’s reaching out to a loved one, trying talk therapy or joining anonymous support groups, opening up about your struggles can make you feel less alone and help you cope. And if you don’t want to get out of bed, online therapy is an excellent strategy that requires minimal physical effort.
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Practice self-care. Taking care of your needs is pivotal for feeling better. Self-care looks different to everyone, so focus on what makes you feel good, whether it’s breaking a sweat, journaling or surrounding yourself with friends you can lean on.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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