Depression control with drugs - Is it worth it.

Depression has become a universal problem among people. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by pessimism and sadness. Clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest that stress is the key mediator in the pathophysiology of depression. The extent of depression is so much that, sometimes, suicide is attempted. Antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors provide relief from depression but can have side effects such as blurred vision, nausea, and dizziness. These antidepressants also have withdrawal effects such as crying spells, irritability, and vivid dreams. The review considers the literature on major depression beginning with its types, its brief historical overview, symptoms, cause of depression, treatment, side effects of prolonged treatment, and alternative treatment. The objective of this paper as a pharmacist is to understand the causes of depression and to highlight that, instead of relying on antidepressants which have more of side effects, one should go for psychotherapy, meditation, yoga, cognitive, and behavior therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]