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CHRISTIAN
SINGLES
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CHRISTIAN
DATING ADVICE
CHRISTIAN SINGLES : GUIDE TO
ENDING LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION Cont.
medication may have to be maintained indefinitely.
Antidepressant drugs are not habit-forming.
However, as is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more
than a few days, antidepressants have to be carefully monitored to see
if the correct dosage is being given. The doctor will check the dosage
and its effectiveness regularly.
For the small number of people for whom MAO
inhibitors are the best treatment, it is necessary to avoid certain
foods that contain high levels of tyramine, such as many cheeses, wines,
and pickles, as well as medications such as decongestants. The
interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can bring on a hypertensive crisis, a
sharp increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. The doctor
should furnish a complete list of prohibited foods that the patient
should carry at all times. Other forms of antidepressants require no
food restrictions.
Medications of any kind—prescribed, over-the
counter, or borrowed—should never be mixed without consulting the
doctor. Other health professionals who may prescribe a drug—such as a
dentist or other medical specialist—should be told of the medications
the patient is taking. Some drugs, although safe when taken alone can,
if taken with others, cause severe and dangerous side effects. Some
drugs, like alcohol or street drugs, may reduce the effectiveness of
antidepressants and should be avoided. This includes wine, beer, and
hard liquor. Some people who have not had a problem with alcohol use may
be permitted by their doctor to use a modest amount of alcohol while
taking one of the newer antidepressants.
Antianxiety drugs or sedatives are not
antidepressants. They are sometimes prescribed along with
antidepressants; however, they are not effective when taken alone for a
depressive disorder. Stimulants, such as amphetamines, are not effective
antidepressants, but they are used occasionally under close supervision
in medically ill depressed patients.
Questions about any antidepressant prescribed, or
problems that may be related to the medication, should be discussed with
the doctor.
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