ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how anti-depressants are used for postnatal depression. It presents the answers to some common questions about anti-depressants. The chapter provides some useful hints and tips to get the best out of medication. It teaches how to think through the pros and cons of medication. National guidelines in the UK recommend that people with depression should be offered treatments other than medication at first. But anti-depressant medications can be helpful as part of a package of care. Anti-depressants are helpful if people have moderate or severe symptoms of depression. Usually anti-depressants are not helpful for problems of mildly low mood. All tablets have side effects. Many anti-depressant medications can affect people's ability to drive and operate machinery. They can also increase the effects of alcohol.
