Serotonin is a chemical that is naturally produced by your body to help your brain and nerve cells function, according to the Mayo Clinic. The availability of serotonin in your brain has been linked to mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and panic disorder, among other, as reported by Drs. James Sadock and Virginian Sadock, writing in "Synopsis of Psychiatry."
How Does It Work?
A variety of roles within the body serotonin is an essential chemical needed at certain levels in order for your body to fully function. According to the Mayo Clinic, serotonin produced by your brain and spinal cord help to regulate attention, behavior and body temperature. Serotonin produced in other areas of the body, such as the intestines, aids with digestion, blood flow and breathing. Therefore, the serotonin in the brain and spinal cord can influence your behavior.
Serotonin Syndrome
When you have too much serotonin present in your body serotonin syndrome can occur. Sadock and Sadock report this syndrome occurs when plasma concentrations in the blood are raised to toxic levels. These high levels of serotonin will cause behaviors of restlessness and extreme agitation with the possibility of seizures. The Mayo Clinic reports that serotonin syndrome and the behavioral symptoms associated with it will return to normal once the serotonin levels are returned to normal. If you feel you need more information on this disorder consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, SSRIs, are a line of drugs that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin by the brain, reports Sadock and Sadock. When serotonin reuptake it blocked the brain has more serotonin available to it. This enhances and increases the transmission of the neurotransmitter, serotonin which can affect your mood and behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic. These drugs aid in stabilizing behaviors associated with mental health disorders, such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders among others, as reported by Sadock and Sadock.
Behavioral Disorders
Serotonin has been show to influence a variety of behavioral disorders and a first line of defense in therapeutic treatments are drugs that influenced serotonin levels in the brain; including obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and insomnia, as reported by Sadock and Sadock. In these disorders the serotonin levels appear to be contributing to negative behaviors because once the patient is starting on drugs that influence the levels of brain serotonin a reduction in their negative behaviors is usually seen, according to Sadock and Sadock.
Suicide
It has been found that an increase of serotonin in the brain can cause a reduction in suicide overall, as reported by Sadock and Sadock. Despite the decrease, some patients who begin taking SSRI's increase their suicidal attempts with more success, according to Sadock and Sadock. They suggest the initial increase in serotonin due to the SSRI's could allow the patient enough rise out of depression to engage in the suicidal behavior; thus, patients with thoughts of suicide should be monitored during their first weeks on SSRIs. Once the patient has been on the SSRI's for a number of weeks their risk of suicide is decreased.
References
- Mayo clinic: Serotonin Syndrome
- Mayo Clinic: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitators
- "Synopsis of Psychiatry," Benjamin James Sadock, M.D. and Virginia Alcott Sadock, M.D., 2003
