| Over 20 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from | | | | are examples of MAOIs.While prescription |
| depression, and many of them have explored the | | | | antidepressants can work for some patients, they |
| use of antidepressant medication to help alleviate | | | | also produce an alarming amount of side effects in |
| their symptoms. Not all people who suffer from | | | | many cases. Sexual dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and |
| depression choose to use medication; oftentimes, | | | | headaches are just a few of the commonly reported |
| therapy alone is enough to successfully treat the | | | | side effects. Even more disturbingly, these |
| condition. But those who do are faced with a variety | | | | medications can also cause thoughts of suicide, |
| of options -- including herbal ones.Antidepressants are | | | | particularly in younger patients.Many who are fed up |
| more widely used to treat serious depression than | | | | with the side effects of antidepressants (or who |
| mild depression. There are several kinds of | | | | simply don't want to risk them in the first place) turn |
| antidepressants, all of which work slightly differently. | | | | instead to natural remedies for depression. Some |
| One common type is the selective serotonin | | | | remedies have proven to be so effective that they |
| reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This type of medication | | | | outsell prescription medications in some markets. St. |
| specifically targets the neurotransmitter serotonin, | | | | John's Wort, for example, is one of the herbal |
| which is essential in monitoring mood. Commonly | | | | treatments for depression that works so well that in |
| prescribed SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Luvox and | | | | Germany, it outsells many major prescription |
| Zoloft.Another kind of antidepressant is the | | | | antidepressants. St. John's Wort is believed to boost |
| monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs are | | | | serotonin levels in the brain, naturally lifting spirits and |
| usually only recommended to patients with atypical | | | | alleviating feelings of depression.There are many |
| symptoms, and are not usually the first type of | | | | other natural ingredients that are effective in treating |
| antidepressant prescribed to a person. If a patient is | | | | depression, including passion flower, ginko biloba, and |
| not responding to other types of antidepressants, a | | | | kava kava, among others. You should always consult |
| doctor may recommend an MAOI. MAOIs work by | | | | a doctor before beginning or ending any prescription |
| reducing the amount of monoamine oxidase in the | | | | medication, and if you decide to pursue the option of |
| brain. Monoamine oxidase is the substance that | | | | treating depression naturally, remember to give the |
| breaks down neurotransmitters such as serotonin and | | | | medication time to take effect. Whatever choice you |
| norepenephrine, which help regulate mood. Reducing | | | | make, patience and perseverance in exploring the |
| the amount of monoamine oxidase in the system can | | | | options on your list of depression medication will |
| help restore brain chemical balance. Nardil and Parnate | | | | ultimately lead you to a happier, healthier life. |