Understanding Depression Causes & Symptoms

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Understanding depression Does it hold you back from things you enjoy?

epression is a serious medical condition that can take so much out of you. It can make you feel like you have to wind yourself up just to get through the day. Depression can make you feel sad, helpless, and uninterested in your favorite activities.

Depression is different than feeling sad or blue. Feelings of sadness go away with time, whereas depression can last for weeks, months, or even years.

The encouraging news is that depression can be treated.

What causes depression?

Although no single cause of depression has been identified, it appears that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors may play a role. Scientists are actively seeking new knowledge in this area. Depression is not your fault. It’s not a personal weakness or a condition that you can just “snap out of” and feel better.

Who gets depression?

Depression is a common condition. An estimated 35 million U.S. adults have experienced depression at some point

Understanding depression

during their lifetime. The disease affects men and women of all races and economic levels. Women are at a significantly greater risk than men for developing major depression. Studies show that women experience depression twice as often as men.

Although anyone can develop depression, the condition seems to run in families. Whether or not depression is genetic, the disorder is believed to be associated with changes to levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

What is major depressive disorder?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is commonly known as depression. MDD can be diagnosed by a health care professional when a patient reports at least 2 weeks of sad or “empty” feelings or loss of interest in activities accompanied by at least four additional symptoms of depression.

Symptoms of depression

Here are some of the common symptoms included in the diagnostic criteria developed by the American Psychiatric Association called the DSM-IV^®:

Constant sadness
Irritability
Hopelessness
Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
Loss of interest in favorite activities

Trouble sleeping
Low energy or fatigue
Significant weight change
Difficulty concentrating

Depression is a serious illness, but it’s a treatable one. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the majority of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. And almost all patients who treat their depression experience some relief from their symptoms.

Understanding depression

If you think you may have depression, talk with your primary care physician about how you’re feeling. If you’ve been treated for depression in the past, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. It can take some trial and error, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, the majority of people with depression experience symptom improvement. Successful treatment of depression is a realistic goal.

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Important Safety Information About PRISTIQ

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy or when the dose is changed should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior such as becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Should these occur, report them to a doctor right away. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.

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Important Safety Information About PRISTIQ

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy or when the dose is changed should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior such as becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Should these occur, report them to a doctor right away. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.

Do not take PRISTIQ if you are allergic to desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, or any of the ingredients in PRISTIQ. Do not take PRISTIQ if you currently take, or have taken within the last 14 days, any medicine known as an MAOI (including intravenous methylene blue or the antibiotic linezolid). Allow 7 days after stopping PRISTIQ before starting an MAOI. Taking an MAOI with PRISTIQ can cause serious or even life-threatening side effects.

Before taking PRISTIQ, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take or plan to take including: those to treat migraines or psychiatric disorders (including other antidepressants) to avoid serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition; aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, or blood thinners because they may increase the risk of bleeding.

PRISTIQ may cause or worsen some conditions, so tell your healthcare professional about all the medical conditions you have or had including:

High blood pressure, which should be controlled before starting PRISTIQ and monitored regularly
Heart problems, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, a history of stroke, glaucoma or increased eye pressure, kidney or liver problems, or low sodium levels in your blood
Bleeding problems
Depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior
Mania, bipolar disorder, or seizures or convulsions
Nursing, pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant

Discontinuation symptoms may occur when stopping or reducing PRISTIQ, so talk to your healthcare professional before stopping or changing your dose.

Until you see how PRISTIQ affects you, be careful driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PRISTIQ.

In clinical studies, most common side effects with PRISTIQ 50 mg were nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.

INDICATION

PRISTIQ^® (desvenlafaxine) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning, and Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

The product information provided in this site is intended for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

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