Generally, when a patient shows signs of depression, the common approach is to advise various therapies that may bring corrections in the general behavioral patterns and lifestyle of the patient. When the sign and symptoms become severe and persistent, a medical treatment provider may also feel that the patient needs certain medications to get relief from these severe depressive symptoms. There are many types of medications that may be administered to the patient. Patient’s current physical condition and the severity of the mental problems are the deciding factors in the type of medication, dosage and duration of medication.

There are several types of medications that have different characteristics and act on several aspects of the person’s psychology and physiology. Broadly, they can be categorized as antidepressant, antimanic, antipsychotic, and antianxiety medications.

Antidepressant Category Medications

The very name ‘antidepressant’ indicates that they act against depression. In general terms, they are mood elevators in the sense that they reduce the symptoms of depression and bring them to normal.

Antidepressant medications operate by elevating certain neurochemical levels. The antidepressant medications are divided into these categories: tricyclic, SSRIs, and MAO inhibitors.

Tricyclic antidepressants: Generally, tricyclics are prescribed for major depression. They can also be used to treat dysthymia. Basically, these medications act on neurochemicals such as norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. To treat depressive disorders, psychologists prefer to give tricyclic antidepressants at the beginning of treatment. Imipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, and amitriptyline are some of the new antidepressants the psychologists prefer in treatment.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Serotonin neurons that lie in central nervous system are assumed to be responsible for the inhibitory effect on the system which produces a sense of satisfaction and wellbeing. SSRIs are useful in helping an increase in serotonin level in the brain. They help in relieving depressive mood. Thus, SSRI medications have been evolved for the treatment of depressive disorders. They have proved their efficacy in treatment of other mental illnesses such as fear psychosis, anxiety disorders, repetitive stress syndrome etc. They are useful in treatment of stress related illnesses.

MAO Inhibitors: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are some other antidepressants that are effective for major depression when other antidepressants prove to be ineffective. They are also useful for fear psychosis, and bipolar disorder. Some of the MAOIs that are useful for depression are tranylcypromine, phenelzine, and isocarboxazid. MAOI drugs usage must follow strict dietary constraints because of their highly risky interactions with certain food items, beverages, and certain medications.

Antimanic Category Medications

Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder. It is a typical illness with alternating mania (high) and depression (low). ‘High’ symptoms are irritability, anger, exaggerated self-importance, high energy etc. If this condition is untreated, it will worsen into a psychological problem. Similarly, if ‘low’ phase symptoms - such as focusing disabilities, tiredness, lethargy, dietary and sleeping irregularities – are left untreated will lead to severe depression. The medications include Lithium and anticonvulsants.

Lithium: This is the most popular treatment medication for bipolar disorder. It levels out mood changes in the manic phase as well as during the depressive phase. It is used as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder. An individual’s lithium requirement is to be ascertained before regular dosage is administered. Blood levels of lithium are to be checked as higher doses will have grave side-effects. Since it is an ongoing treatment, frequent checking of serum levels of lithium is necessary.

Anticonvulsants: These are basically seizures medications, but are found to be useful for treatment of depression. People with manic depression may avoid using lithium because of side effects. Such people will be administered with anticonvulsant medications.

Valproic acid is one anticonvulsant drug that is used for bipolar depression. It is found to be more useful in rapid swings as in bipolar II disorder. Liver function tests are to be done before it is given as it can affect liver function. Stomach disorders and headaches are also noticed. Other anticonvulsants are lamotrigine, carbamazepine, topiramate, and gabapentin.

Antipsychotic Category Medications

People who suffer from psychosis are disconnected with reality. They get irritated and angry without any provocation. They odd sleep timings. They become negligent and lazy. Unfortunately, they will not be aware of their condition. People with these symptoms are schizophrenic.

Dopamine is an antipsychotic medication that will act on neurochemicals in central nervous system. It is useful in treating schizophrenic patients who suffer delusions, hallucinations etc. But the side effects are many, such as unusual muscular contractions and body stiffness.

Clozapine was a later addition to list of medications. Subsequently, new medications such as risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone have been developed which have milder side effects.

Antianxiety Category Medications

Anxiety is a mild symptom and is often easily administered. An extended phase of anxiety can affect normal life. This may lead to anxiety disorder. Medications such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine etc., are useful in treating several anxiety disorders.