Why is Aripiprazole Used for Depression?
Disease description:
I was recently diagnosed with moderate depression, and my doctor prescribed aripiprazole for me. I feel confused because I've heard that aripiprazole is typically used to treat schizophrenia, and I'm wondering why this medication would be used for treating depression.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Depression is a common mental disorder, with main symptoms including low mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and physical fatigue. For some patients with severe depression, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions may also occur, further exacerbating the patient's psychological distress. Aripiprazole, as an antipsychotic medication, has demonstrated certain therapeutic effects in treating depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms.
Aripiprazole selectively acts on neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, helping to improve depressive symptoms by modulating their balance in the brain. For patients with depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms, aripiprazole can effectively control these symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, thereby improving the overall depressive condition. Additionally, in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression, aripiprazole is often used as an augmenting agent to enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.
Although aripiprazole is effective in treating depression with psychotic symptoms, not all patients with depression require this medication. Individual differences in physical and neurological responses to drugs exist; therefore, it is recommended to consult a qualified physician before using aripiprazole.
