Depression
A cause of depression is an imbalance of these.
What is: neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine)?
This medication class is typically the first line treatment for depression.
What is: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)?
Common side effects of antidepressants.
What is: headache, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia or drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, sexual dysfunction, etc?
Define medication adherence.
Name the country that is the most visited.
What is: France? (2nd - Spain; 3rd - U.S.)
Symptoms of depression.
What is: sleep disturbance, interest (loss of), guilt (excessive), energy (loss of), concentration (impaired), appetite changes, psychomotor agitation or retardation, suicidal ideations or actions, etc.?
Examples of common antidepressant medications.
What is: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline (SSRIs); Duloxetine and Venlafaxine (SNRIs); Mirtazapine and Bupropion?
What to do if side effects are intolerable.
What is: 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)
Name one way to improve medication adherence.
What is: 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?
Name the letter of the alphabet that doesn't appear in any U.S. state name.
What is: "Q"?
Risk factors of depression.
What is: female, low income, unemployment, comorbid psychiatric or personality disorders, medical conditions, stressful life events, first-degree relative with depression, etc.?
The length of time it takes to see the full benefit of an antidepressant.
What is: 4-6 weeks?
Strategies to help with nausea caused by an antidepressant.
What is: take it 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?
The outcome of stopping your medications "cold turkey"
What is: "withdrawal effects"
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).
Name one NBA player that only made one three-point shot in their entire career.
Who is: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal?
Mental health condition commonly associated with depression.
What is: Serotonin Syndrome?
Strategies to help with the drowsiness side effect of antidepressants.
What is: 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.?
Explain what to do if you miss a dose of your medication.
What is: take it as soon as you remember, unless it's close to the next dose: do not double up!
Name the state that is traditionally considered the geographical center of America.
What is: North Dakota?
Aside from medications, these are other ways to help with depression.
What is: therapy, exercise, nutrition, meditation, sleep, social support, etc.?
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).
What is: Bupropion (Wellbutrin)?
The length of time that side effects typically last.
What is: 2 weeks, but most go away within a few days?
The percentage of people adherent to their medications.
What is: 50%?
Name the condiment that was once sold as medicine.
What is: Ketchup?
The condiment was prescribed and sold to people suffering with indigestion back in 1834.