Understanding Antidepressants

by Wallace B. Mendelson

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Author: Wallace B. Mendelson

Publisher: Independently published

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1980438293
ISBN 13: 978-1980438298

NEW UPDATE: Now includes two newer antidepressants approved by the FDA: esketamine, taken as a nasal spray, for persons who have not responded to previous medicines, and brexanolone, the first antidepressant specifically for postpartum depression.OVERVIEW: About 16 million Americans experience a major depression each year, and at any given time about ten percent of the population is taking antidepressants. The popularity of antidepressants is increasing rapidly: there are about four times as many people taking them than in the 1990s. There are many different ones available, in what can seem like a bewildering variety. In this book, Dr. Mendelson suggests that understanding the science of how antidepressants work in the body can help in a number of ways. First, it helps in making a wiser choice among them. Secondly, it makes sense of things. If one realizes that a particular antidepressant also has the qualities of an antihistamine, for instance, then it makes sense that it might also lead to sleepiness. Finally, it helps change a person’s approach about being depressed. It’s natural to feel that one is a recipient of this very painful kind of suffering, and then a recipient of a treatment. It may seem like there is not much to be done about it. In fact, there are a lot of options. By understanding more about these medications and their alternatives, it’s possible to take a more active stance and participate in the choice of treatment, and that’s an important first step. This book begins with a non-technical, lavishly illustrated introduction to how antidepressants affect the brain, and a more general presentation of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, and eliminated from the body. The second section describes the various classes of antidepressants, including how they work, how long they stay in the body, their interactions with other medicines, side effects, and things to consider when choosing a particular one. The third section provides guidance if things are not improving, such as changing or adding medicines, as well as non-medication alternatives including psychotherapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Finally, there is a presentation of related depressive disorders such as seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Written with both scientific rigor and compassion, Understanding Antidepressants is a useful guide for anyone suffering from depression, as well as their families. It is written broadly enough to be a helpful introduction for students and trainees, and mental health workers with non-technical backgrounds who wish to learn more about these commonly used medications.About the author: Wallace B. Mendelson MD is a Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Pharmacology (ret) at the University of Chicago, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He has authored or co-authored four books and numerous scientific papers, primarily in the fields of psychopharmacology and sleep medicine. His most recent book, The Science of Sleep (available on Amazon), shares with Understanding Antidepressants the goal of providing the scientific background of a group of disorders in a non-technical and very readable manner.

Review

From the Midwest Book Review: Understanding Antidepressants tackles a big subject because there are many, many antidepressants on the market today, and their prescription and use have skyrocketed over the years. Readers new to the subject might find the array of products (and their potential side effects) confusing; but retired Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Pharmacology Wallace B. Mendelson simplifies the subject for novices to the medicine world, creating a primer that requires no prior knowledge to prove accessible.

Perhaps the most important message Dr. Mendelson delivers is that doctors and patients should enjoy a cooperative relationship in which drugs are assessed and understood; not just prescribed and dutifully ingested.

In order to cultivate such interactions, it's up to patients and their loved ones to take responsibility for accumulating a basic understanding of antidepressants, how they work, and the pros and cons of their use; and that's where Understanding Antidepressants enters the picture.

Chapters provide basic biology and health information, discuss how different classes of antidepressants affect the body in different ways, consider their interactions with other drugs and possible side effects, and include discussions of alternative medications and what to do if the antidepressants don't work. While the focus is on the treatment of major depressive disorders, other related conditions are also covered.

The idea isn't to offer a substitute to consultation with a physician; but a supplemental study piece that gives patients the kind of knowledge and tools to ask informed questions and make savvy decisions.

From a quick review of the history of modern neurophysiology to how drugs accumulate in the body long-term and why effective treatment of depression relies on different factors, readers receive a thorough, professional foundation of insights based on history, research, typical medical office applications, and knowledge of dosages, overdoses and exactly how different drug classes work.

Millions of Americans currently take antidepressants. How many of them really know what they are taking? With the help of this book, which organizes technical information into a series of non-technical definitions, visual charts, and detailed discussions; they'd at least have the basic medical details at their fingertips.

While all this information is not unique to Understanding Antidepressants, having it all under one cover in a succinct, non-technical, accessible format creates a survey that should be given to any depressed patient and their loved ones who want to understand what they're being given, how the drugs work, and their potential benefits and detriments.

Diane Donovan

Senior Book Reviewer

Midwest Book Review

From the Back Cover

One in five Americans experience major depression at some time in their lives. Many receive antidepressant medications; at any given time, about ten percent of the population is taking them. In this book, Dr. Mendelson suggests that learning the science of how these medicines work can help a person take a more active stance and participate with the physician in the choice of treatment. Included are simple non-technical descriptions of how antidepressants act, their benefits and limitations, and non-medicine alternative treatments. Lavishly illustrated and written with both scientific rigor and compassion, the book is designed to lead to a better understanding of the many options available when dealing with depression.

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Understanding Antidepressants