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Depression: Medications
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Depression is a medical condition characterised by feelings of extreme sadness and dejection. Depression is not just feeling sad, as everyone does occasionally. Depression can be treated using a combination of medication and psychological counselling.
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Although 61% of respondents say they are somewhat or very satisfied with their medication treatment for depression, 25% say they have experienced no change in their condition since they sought help. When asked about improvement in the core symptoms of depression, 40% have seen no improvement in their fatigue or loss of energy -- symptoms common to 96% of respondents. Similarly, of individuals reporting a sad and gloomy mood during their depression, more than 28% experienced no change in this symptom, and for a third common problem -- loss of pleasure -- 35% have shown no improvement with medication.
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It is important to recognize that childhood depression differs from adult depression and that children may respond differently than adults to antidepressant medication. These variances are due to childhood brain development processes as well as age-related differences in drug metabolism. Children may experience medication side effects not seen in adults, and some antidepressants that are effective for adults may not work for children.
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The objective of continuation treatment is to decrease the likelihood of relapse (a return of the current episode of depression). If patients respond to acute phase medication, it is generally continued at the same dosage for 4 to 9 months after return to the clinically well state. (Strength of Evidence = A.)
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Encourage treatment – It's vital that people with depression take any antidepressants they are prescribed. As some antidepressants bring unwanted side effects, you might need to encourage the depressed person to persist with medication. Therapy can ... bring unexpected surprises – carers are urged to have patience through the process and continue to support their loved even though sometimes their behaviour may be hurtful.
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Medical factors may ... cause depression in cancer patients. Medication usually helps this type of depression more effectively than counseling, especially if the medical factors cannot be changed (for example, dosages of the medications that are causing the depression cannot be changed or stopped). Some medical causes of depression in cancer patients include uncontrolled pain; abnormal levels of calcium, sodium, or potassium in the blood; anemia; vitamin B 12 or folate deficiency; fever; and abnormal levels of thyroid hormone or steroids in the blood.
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