However, any unusual reactions or side effects or those that interfere with functioning should be reported to the doctor immediately. The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants, and ways to deal with them, are:

Dry mouth: it is helpful to drink sips of water; chew sugarless gum; clean teeth daily.

Constipation: bran cereals, prunes, fruit, and vegetables should be in the diet.

Bladder problems emptying the bladder may be troublesome, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual; the doctor should be notified if there is marked difficulty or pain.

Many times I imagined ways by which I could commit suicide without appearing like I was committing suicide, but making it look like it was an accident. I knew I should not commit suicide. I was only imagining impossible things because I wanted to die. But I knew I couldn’t. I had the obligation to continue. Besides, where would I go? To a worse place, without any doubt, because I saw that things could always be worse. Yes, first of all, I admit I didn’t commit suicide because I was afraid of the future.

I find I get an influx of new clients at this time of year; most of them talk about having low self esteem. However, through their sessions with me, it is often revealed that they may not really have low self esteem but are suffering from a condition known as S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

SAD is a disorder that seems to afflict many people living in northern latitudes. It often comes on around November (it can be earlier or later for some people and will vary from year to year) and lasts until spring (again it will vary). The symptoms or signs of SAD will also vary from person to person but common signs include difficulty sleeping, lacking energy, overeating, mood changes and, sometimes, feelings of low self-esteem.

Depression is an illness in which an alteration of brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, has occurred. Changes in the levels of these neurotransmitters have been strongly linked to one’s mood and behavior. Anti-depressants are thought to correct some of the chemical imbalances present in a depressive illness. There are various classes of anti depressant drugs. Once medication is started it is continued for at last 3-12 months or longer. Premature cessation of the medications can cause a relapse of the syndrome. Generally these medications are slowly tapered off to allow the body to make an adjustment.

Discussion on Depression

What is it about depression that makes people so nervous?? That makes people gasp when the subject is mentioned. That’s an interesting question isn’t it?

Well, I’d really like to know the answer, wouldn’t you? In fact, I can only guess that people still believe it’s taboo to talk about depression. Hello……it is now the 21st Century and well into the 1st decade. It is 2007. I think the time is ripe for education and discussion on this subject.

Depression medication can help a person who is dealing with a depressive disorder. Doctors have access to many different drugs, but they all fall into three main categories.

These categories are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Depending on the doctor and the situation, one drug from these three categories will be chosen in order to help a person deal with depression.

One type of depression medication that doctors use is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors otherwise known as SSRIs. SSRIs are different than tricyclics and MAOIs because they work only on the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Depression and Philosophy
By Christina Sponias

Your personal philosophy of life will help you overcome your depression and even give your life a good meaning. If you are depressed it is because you are sensitive, you are not indifferent to what is wrong, unbearable, ugly and crazy.

You are human. You are not a stone.

However, the emotion you feel is too strong and it ruins your life…