Depression and Treatment: Antidepressant Medication

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Depression is a manageable, medical condition, which is characterized by moods and feelings (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013a). Depression can affect the quality of life that a person experiences and is believed to be connected to cognitive impairments (AIHW, 2013a). Symptoms of depression can be improved through medication and non-medication interventions and treatments (AIHW, 2013a). In Australia, depression still remain the second leading cause of disability Between the years 2011 and 20012, depression was one of the three most frequently managed mental health conditions (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013b).

Our brains contain billions of neurons, which are essential for communication through the brain (Wasserman, 2011). Messages that are communicated through neurons are call neurotransmitters, which include amino acids (Wasserman, 2011). The neurotransmitters in ours brain affects our emotions, which is why it is connected to depression (Wasserman, 2011). These neurotransmitters include noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin (Wasserman, 2011). Noradrenaline regulates anxiety and mood levels, which may lead to depression when a person is experiencing stress (Wasserman, 2011). Dopamine is involved in mental activity (Wasserman, 2011). When there is low dopaminergic activity, and individual may find it difficult to feel as if they are getting pleasure out of life (Wasserman, 2011). When there is too much dopaminergic activity, individuals get excited and want change in everything in their lives (Wasserman, 2011). Serotonin affects hormone secretion, which affects an individual’s moods (Wasserman, 2011). When an individual does not have enough serotonin, they get aggressive and compet...

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2013b). Mental Health Services in brief. Cat. No. HSE

141. Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129544723

Coleman, L.H. (2012). Depression: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. The New Harbinger Guides for the Newly Diagnosed Series, (pp. 178). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Retreived from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51102590320001951

Nolen-Hoeksema, S. & Hilt, L.M. (2013). Handbook of Depression in Adolescents (pp. 727). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51105776920001951

Wasserman, D. (2011). (2nd Ed.). Depression. The Facts. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrived from

http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51111809660001951

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