Depression
Antidepressants
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Medication Adherence
Fun Facts
100
One cause of depression can be an imbalance of these.
neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine)
100
This medication class is typically the first-line treatment for depression.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
100
Common side effects of antidepressants.
headache, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia or drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, sexual dysfunction, etc.
100
Define medication adherence/compliance.
"Following directions or sticking to a plan; refilling your prescriptions on time and following the directions on your prescription bottle; if you take your medications the way your doctor or pharmacist explained, then you are being adherent."
100
Name the country that is the most visited.
France
200
Name a few symptoms of depression.
200
Examples of common antidepressant medications.
citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline (SSRIs); duloxetine and venlafaxine (SNRIs); mirtazapine and bupropion
200
What should you do if the side effects of your medication are intolerable?
Contact your provider! Do not stop taking medication suddenly. Your symptoms may return; you may experience withdrawal effects; you may need to be tapered off the medication slowly.
200
Name one way to improve medication adherence.
Weekly pill container, set alarm on phone, pair with something you do every day (i.e. brush teeth or make coffee), enroll in automatic refill program at your pharmacy, etc.
200
Name the letter of the alphabet that doesn't appear in any U.S. state name.
Q
300
What are a few risk factors for depression?
female, low income, unemployment, concomitant psychiatric or personality disorders, medical conditions, stressful life events, first-degree relative with depression, etc.
300
The length of time it can take to see the full benefit of an antidepressant.
4-6 weeks
300
Strategies to help with nausea caused by an antidepressant.
Take with food; eat smaller and more frequent meals; suck on sugarless hard candy; drink plenty of fluids; take Tums as needed; talk to your provider about a dosage change or a slow-release form of the medication.
300
The outcome of stopping your medications "cold turkey."
Withdrawal - You should contact your provider when considering stopping a medication so they can help you safely get off the medication and minimize withdrawal effects (or potentially provide another medication option).
300
T/F: Australia is wider than the moon.
True - The moon sits at 3400km in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 4000km.
400
Which mental health condition is commonly associated with depression?
Anxiety
400
A rare but serious drug reaction that can be caused by medications which build up high levels of serotonin in the body.
serotonin syndrome
400
Strategies to help with the drowsiness side effect of antidepressants.
Take a short nap during the day; physical activity, such as walking; avoid driving until the drowsiness passes; take your antidepressant at bedtime; talk to your provider about adjusting dose, etc.
400
Explain what to do if you miss a dose of your medication.
Take it as soon as you remember unless it's close to the next dose - do not double up!
400
Name the only continent that is in all four hemispheres.
Africa
500
Aside from medications, these are other ways to help with depression.
therapy, exercise, nutrition, meditation, sleep, social support, etc.
500
Name the antidepressant: no sexual side effects, can help with smoking cessation, and is contraindicated in patients with a seizure disorder or conditions that increase the risk of seizure (i.e. anorexia nervosa).
bupropion (Wellbutrin)
500
The length of time that antidepressant side effects typically last.
~2 weeks, though most go away within a few days.
500
The percentage of people adherent to their medications.
50%
500
Name the condiment that was once sold as medicine.
Ketchup - The condiment was prescribed and sold to people suffering with indigestion back in 1834.
