Understanding Antidepressants

by Wallace B. Mendelson

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.

123 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2018

About the author

Dr. Mendelson is a Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Pharmacology, and director of the Sleep Research Laboratory (ret), at the University of Chicago. He earned an MD degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed a residency in psychiatry there as well. He has held professorships at Ohio State University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, was Chief of the Section on Sleep Studies at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD, and Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Mendelson is a past president of the Sleep Research Society. Among his honors is the William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award from the American Sleep Disorders Association/American Academy of Sleep Medicine as well as a Special Award in Sleep and Psychiatry from the National Sleep Foundation, and he is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Mendelson has authored 15 books and numerous peer-reviewed papers on various aspects of sleep research, psychiatry, and medical history. More information about his work can be found on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace...) and at his website (www.zhibit.org/WallaceMendelson).

Reviews

[Sue]

I understand antidepressants now

I picked up this book for a few different reasons. I was curious about the subject on both personal and professional grounds. I have to say, I'm happy I decided to embark on this quest. And a quest it was I might add. The language is technical and sophisticated for the average user. However, the information and knowledge was important to me so I was able to stick with it and now I can say that I do indeed understand antidepressants.

Some people's lives are very affected by the medications that they take. And antidepressants are some of the most common. I wish everyone taking these medication, anyone who lives with or knows someone taking them would read this book.

I am only a Certified Nursing Assistant, so I don't prescribe medications but I do administer them and I feel that its important for those of us in the care industry to constantly expand our understanding of medications.

Dr. Mendelson does a wonderful job breaking down and explaining virtually everything someone would need to know about antidepressant meds. Read this book if it seems like it's for you.

[John Crowley]

This is the first book I’ve read that explains about these medicines in a way that makes sense to me. I don’t have a scientific background— far from it— so I was a little worried, but it walked me through how they affect the body in a way that I can understand. It’s a good reference too: when a doctor recommends a medicine, you can look it up and read about its pluses and minuses. There’s even a section on things to consider if things aren’t getting better. I wish I’d had this a long time ago!

[Annette]

My Thoughts:
Recently, I reviewed a previous book written by Mendelson, Understanding Medicines for Anxiety. Both books have been eye-opening in understanding how these types of medications work. In understanding how a medication works that a patient has been prescribed, it makes the patient and family feel knowledgeable about what is happening; as well as a bit in control about the aspect of knowing what the medication will do and how it will be done. So often a physician will write a prescription and the patient will take the medication not knowing what happens after the pill is swallowed. I’m a person who wants to know!
Chapters:
•"How Drugs Work”
•"Antidepressants”
•"If Things Aren’t Getting Better”
•"Other Depressive Disorders”
Further reasons I love this book:
♦Explains how antidepressants are handled by the brain itself.
♦Other types of mood disorders are explained. Bi-polar is addressed in several areas of the book.
♦List of commonly used drugs for depression and dosages.
♦A history of antidepressants.
♦Types of antidepressant medications are explained, and their interactions with other medications, side effects, and overdose.
♦24 illustrations are included. This includes graphs and photographs.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author, but was not required to leave a positive review