Rogers: Antidepressants do not remove sadness, they enable treatment

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that antidepressants do not erase sadness. She explained that the medication changes the chemical balance in the brain to help a person address the underlying causes of their low mood.

Rogers advised patients to recognize when their quality of life is affected by symptoms such as loss of sleep, energy, or motivation. She noted that some individuals experience a triggering event that starts a downward spiral they cannot break on their own. In those cases, she said, patients should look into antidepressant therapy.

Gerontologist Sam Cradduck agreed that medication alone is insufficient. She said a pill will not fix the circumstance that caused the depression. Cradduck emphasized that talk therapy is a required part of the process. The conversation must address the issues that led to the low mood, and the patient must be willing to face them to avoid a continuous cycle.

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke recommended finding a psychiatrist for a thorough assessment before starting treatment. She said patients need help deciding which drug to take and at what dose. O’Rourke also recommended tracking the medication's effects closely. She described a client who experienced a racing heartbeat and sweating, symptoms resembling a panic attack. The client contacted her psychiatrist, who stopped the medication and prescribed a different one.

Rogers warned that patients should know the withdrawal symptoms before starting a new drug. She stated that a person cannot stop the medication all of a sudden. She added that people do not all respond to the same drugs. If a patient can afford it, Rogers said, finding out genetic variations is an investment that can help predict how well the body will respond to the treatment.

Aging well coach Katherine Ambrose suggested combining medication with other support methods. She listed talk therapy, journaling, and seeking support from medical professionals as useful tools. Rogers added that patients should check for thyroid imbalances, hormone issues, and nutritional deficiencies. Ambrose told patients to seek answers and try everything they can to bring themselves back to health.