1. Treatment of depression

2. Introduction
Depression affects 17-20% of the population (Taylor, Fricker, Devi, & Gomes, 2005).
Depression is caused by imbalances of neurotransmitters: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Antidepressants are used for treatment.
Depression is a medical condition that affects approximately 17-20% f the population (Taylor, Fricker, Devi, & Gomes, 2005). The main cause for this medical condition is imbalances of the neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Antidepressants such as the Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are used to correct the chemical imbalances resulting in change in both mood and behavior (Taylor, Fricker, Devi, & Gomes, 2005). The presentation highlights on the neurotransmitter theory for depression, the effects of the drug used to treat the disorder and the benefit and risk analysis of using the medications relative to not using the drug to treat the patient.

3. Neurotransmitter Theory
Imbalances of neurotransmitters
in the brain:
norepinephrine, serotonin,
and dopamine.
Serotonin controls important functions
such as sleep.
Norepinephrine recognizes
stressful situations.
Dopamine controls the
drive to rewards.
Depression is caused by the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. The neurotransmitters have different sophisticated functions. Serotonin is important in controlling bodily functions such as aggression, sleep, eating, and sexual behavior (Taylor, Fricker, Devi, & Gomes, 2005). Decrease in its production causes depression. Norepinephrine helps the body to identify and respond to stressful situations. inability to handle stress effectively makes people prone to depression. Dopamine controls our drive towards rewards including the ability to obtain sense of pleasure. Low dopamine levels results is low drives of pleasure.

4. Antidepressants and Effects on Neurotransmitters.
The Selective Serotonin-reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIS) increase the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin (Khushboo, 2017).
The Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) blocks reuptake of serotonin (Khushboo, 2017).
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit enzymatic conversion of serotonin and norepinephrine (Khushboo, 2017).
The antidepressants are the common medications for treating depression. Their mechanism of action range from increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin to reducing their reuptake. Primarily, the effects of these medications on the neurotransmitter is to restore their balance. With this, depressive moods are alleviated.

5. Treating the Patient with Common Medication.
60% success rate.
50% reduction of symptoms.
80% of people stop
antidepressants within a month.
The SSRIs, the commonly used antidepressants, have been found to be an effective tool of depression. Clinical trails highlight that they have a success rate of 60% with 50% of the patients demonstrating a reduction of the symptoms (Almeida, Alfonso, Hankey & Flicker, 2010). The notable positive effects include an improvement in mood and better sleep. By blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitters, the SSRIs are effective in the treatment of depression (Almeida, Alfonso, Hankey & Flicker, 2010).

6. Treating the Patient with Common Medication (Cont.).
Elevated side effects.
Death risk raised by 33%.
Mortality rate of 30%.
While the antidepressants are effective in treating depression, they are associated with elevated levels of side effects such as weight loss, fainting, dizziness and high blood pressure. The risk of cardiovascular disease posed by antidepressants raises the death risk to 33% (Almeida, Alfonso, Hankey & Flicker, 2010). Besides, antidepressants are associated with a mortality rate of 30% (Almeida, Alfonso, Hankey & Flicker, 2010). The mortality rate increases with the severity of the depressive symptoms.

7. Not using Medication to Treat Depression.
Untreated depression is
a serious problem.
Increases the risk of behaviors
such as drug addition.
Takes a serious toll of physical health.
90% of suicide victims have
untreated depression.
While the use of the antidepressants are associated with elevated levels of side effects, untreated depression is a serious problem that increases the burden of the disease on the society. untreated depression results in the increase of risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug addition (Briggs, Tobin, Kenny & Kennelly, 2018). Besides, the conditions takes a serious toll on the physical health of the victim. Notably, 90% of suicide victim shave untreated depression highlighting its high mortality rate (Briggs, Tobin, Kenny & Kennelly, 2018).

8. References
Almeida, O. P., Alfonso, H., Hankey, G. J., & Flicker, L. (2010). Depression, Antidepressant Use And Mortality In Later Life: The Health In Men Study. Plos One, 5(6), E11266.
Briggs, R., Tobin, K., Kenny, R. A., & Kennelly, S. P. (2018). What Is The Prevalence Of Untreated Depression And Death Ideation In Older People? Data From The Irish Longitudinal Study On Aging. International Psychogeriatrics, 1-9.
Khushboo, S. B. (2017). Antidepressants: Mechanism Of Action, Toxicity And Possible Amelioration. J Appl Biotechnol Bioeng, 3(5),
Taylor, C., Fricker, A. D., Devi, L. A., & Gomes, I. (2005). Mechanisms Of Action Of Antidepressants: From Neurotransmitter Systems To Signaling Pathways. Cellular Signaling, 17(5),