Psychopharmacology Treatment – Different Types of Antidepressant

 

Psychopharmacology Treatment

Over the years, many different anti-depressants have been created, giving a range of options for those who struggle with their mental health. Some kinds are said to have fewer side effects than others, though this can really depend on the person taking them. Some anti-depressants can cause suicidal thoughts, which is why monitoring is extremely important. In some cases, you can order a gene test which tells you which antidepressants you may respond badly to, and which ones might suit you. This is ideal, but a very expensive process. Most doctors will go through trial and error to see which one fits their patient best. Below are the different kinds of antidepressants.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are the antidepressants most likely to be prescribed. The reason for this, is that they are less likely to cause side effects. However, this does not mean that they’re side-effect free. Some people do experience severe side effects, which is why during the first 4-6 weeks of taking the medication, the patient should be monitored by their doctor. Side effects usually calm down a few weeks in, though some people may have a different experience. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline and fluoxetine. SSRIs sometimes can cause sexual problems.

Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Although SNRIs were created in the hope that they would be a more effective treatment than SSRIs for depression, there is no solid evidence of this. They are quite similar to SSRIs, except rather than just serotonin reuptake being inhibited, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake are both inhibited, which is supposed to help the patient feel a bit more motivated. Everybody responds differently to these medications. Examples are duloxetine and venlafaxine.

Noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs)

NASSAs may be prescribed to somebody who is unable to take SSRIs for one reason or another. Side effects can be similar, but they are more likely to cause drowsiness, so it’s good to keep an eye on that. Mirtazapine would be an example of a NASSA.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Tricyclic antidepressants are an older kind of antidepressant, and they aren’t usually recommended anymore. Sometimes they’re used for other things, such as nerve pain. This is because the side effects can be to numb nerve endings. They’re a lot more dangerous when it comes to an overdose and has a lot more side effects than the above medications. Examples of TCAs that may be prescribed are amitriptyline (which can also be used for nerve pain), clomipramine, imipramine and nortriptyline.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

These are very rarely prescribed and are an older type of antidepressant. The side effects these cause can be very serious. Examples of these are phenelzine, tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid. It is unlikely for a patient to be prescribed these.

Psychopharmacology treatment can be quite complex in some cases. When prescribing these, a doctor will have to take into account any other medications that the patient already takes and how they may react with each other. Although there is a stigma that comes with medication for mental health problems, it’s important to recognise that many of the above medications are a lifesaver for those who struggle to function without them. A lot of the medications are used alongside talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Bereavement in Obstetrics is More Common Than You Might Think

Bereavement in obstetrics is a lot more common than some might think, unfortunately. There is a taboo around the topic, and a lot of people don’t like to discuss miscarriages or stillbirths as it makes others uncomfortable. The sad fact is that it can be very helpful to discuss any kind of bereavement with a friend or family member, and can help process grief.

Bereavement in Obstetrics & Media

We see bereavement in obstetrics in films and television. Why can’t we talk about it? Film and television are very good for portraying the subject and the pain that comes with it, and can help people to understand. There are lots of different films and television series that explore the issue. One example would be Boardwalk Empire. The first that we see of miscarriage is a woman being admitted to hospital bleeding. It is shocking to the characters who are touring the hospital and the woman is ushered away as if it is shameful. Later on, the main character called Margaret Thompson works hard to set up educational women’s health classes, much to the disappointment of the nuns that run the hospital. This is a great portrayal of the stigma around baby-loss at the time. Although it is not quite as bad now, some of the stigmas still linger.

What can we do about the stigma?

The best thing that anybody could do to help the stigma and increase support around bereavement in obstetrics is to talk about their experiences. It will, over time, highlight that this can happen to anybody at any point in their life, and it never gets easier. The support for miscarriage and still-birth needs to be at the same level as any other bereavement, as people do still go through stages of grief.

Stress And Depression In The Workplace - COVID19 And Working From Home

 

Stress and depression in the workplace is a common issue, especially during the pandemic. The employees that can have moved to work from home, while others may feel anxious going out to work, but not have many choices in the matter.

COVID-19 has forced many to work in a completely different way. Having an office job may mean you can work from home, but there is no ‘water cooler’ conversation, and routinely falls apart over time when you no longer need to commute. Suddenly, you’re working in your pyjamas, sitting on your sofa with a coffee and a blanket. While this is cosy, over time it can ruin your idea of what relaxation is. Working on the sofa, a place where you might usually relax, suddenly makes it seem like a less relaxing place to be. It is the same if you have a desktop computer to work from your bedroom.

Employers may send their employees to work from home with computers, desks and desk chairs from the office. This is great for making sure that your employees have a decent work set-up so that they can prevent RSI. However, not everybody has enough space to set up a desk and desktop computer. This can lead to not so good set-ups and increase the risk of repetitive strain injury and back problems. Courses can be sent out so that everybody knows how they are supposed to sit, but really there is no way to make sure that your employees have the correct set up all of the time.

Back, shoulder and other repetitive strain pain can cause stress in the workplace. Not being able to relax in spare time can also cause stress. When the workplace is suddenly your home, you might struggle to know when to stop work. It might be hard to feel motivated to start work as well. Being overly productive or counterproductive can have an effect on emotional well-being.

It’s important for employers to regularly check on their employees during this time and show kindness and understanding to those who are struggling with any changes that may have been made. It might be good to set up regular group meetings (online) in order to keep the team spirit alive. Encourage them to speak up if they’re struggling, and see what changes you could make to improve their situation.