How To Treat Common Antidepressant Side Effects

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Health )



Antidepressant side effects can affect a person’s daily activities. Some individuals experience so much distress, that people decide to stop taking antidepressant meds. Each person reacts to antidepressant medications differently, so not all side effects are felt by every individual. There are some measures that can be applied to control most antidepressant side effects that people encounter:

People who experience insomnia or difficulty in sleeping should request the physician to prescribe medication that can be taken only in the mornings. If this is not possible, you can request for sedating medication to accompany your antidepressant.

Your diet should be carefully planned, so that you consume food high in fiber such as vegetables, fruits and whole wheat bread. Drinking lots of water is also encouraged to control constipation and dry mouth. Meals should be consumed more frequently in small portions instead of larger portions to combat nausea and vomiting.

If dizziness is felt when getting up from bed, you should first sit up for a few minutes before standing up. If this does not help, you should request for medication to be taken at bedtime instead, or request for a change of prescription.

Antidepressant weight gain is controlled by avoiding the intake of foods rich carbohydrates and calories. Performing other active recreational activities such as exercising also help.

Alcohol should be avoided while under medication as it causes memory lapses to occur. A doctor must change your prescription if frequent and severe memory lapses are experienced after alcohol consumption is avoided. A change of antidepressant meds is also recommended for people that experience sexual dysfunction.

Lastly, breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques should be performed for those that experience anxiety and agitation.

Above are only some techniques that you can adopt to fight antidepressant side effects. Your doctor can provide you with further professional advice if none of these techniques work.


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