According to the Mayo Clinic, brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are responsible for controlling mood and behavior. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that experts have specifically linked to mood, so when more serotonin is present in the brain, an individual will have enhanced nerve functioning and improved mood. When serotonin levels drop, nerve functioning can be impaired, leading to depression, sleeplessness and anxiety.
Depression and Anxiety
According to experts at Johns Hopkins University, mood disorders, such as depression, often occur during stressful life events, such as a death in the family or loss of employment. Similarly, feelings of anxiety are often produced by unpredictable situations or danger. Normally, when the danger or stress passes, the level of anxiety goes down, but for patients with anxiety disorders, the symptoms of anxiety, such as restlessness or sleeplessness, can persist. According to sources at the University of Bristol, there is a connection between depression, or low mood, and the appearance of anxiety, and they attribute this to the chemical serotonin.
Symptoms of Anxiety
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, individuals with anxiety disorders feel a marked a mount of fear or worry that often grows persistent and debilitating over time. Fear, worry and physical symptoms such as racing heart rate or nausea can interfere with daily functioning, as sufferers grow more anxious and fearful. Doctors note that anxiety can often become more severe without proper treatments.
Risk Factors for Anxiety
There are several factors that play into the development of an anxiety disorder. Health Place, a website that focuses on mental health issues, lists genetics--anxiety disorders tend to run in the family; brain chemistry, such as reduced serotonin levels; personality traits, such as low self-esteem and poor coping skills; and life experiences, such as being exposed to abuse or violence or taking illegal drugs.
SSRIs
According to the Mayo Clinic, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are medications that are designed to block the brain from reabsorbing the chemical serotonin. This reabsorbtion can lead to lowered levels of serotonin in the brain and lowered nerve function that produces both depression and anxiety. Patients who suffer from anxiety disorders often feel a reduction in their symptoms after taking SSRI medications, reports the Mayo Clinic. These medications must be taken daily, and there is ongoing research to investigate and improve them.
Nutrition, Diet and Serotonin
Investigators at the University of Bristol advise that proper exercise and diet can also enhance serotonin levels. They note that vigorous activities will increase serotonin levels, and these increases will continue with long-term activity. The investigators also note that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids may increase and regulate serotonin levels, which will, in turn, reduce anxiety and depression.
Warning
The Mayo Clinic advises that anyone taking SSRIs may be at risk for developing serotonin syndrome, a condition in which the brain has dangerously high serotonin levels. It usually occurs when patients are taking and SSRI in conjunction with an antidepressant containing a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, but it can also occur when patients take an SSRI in addition to supplements that boost seratonin levels. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, fever, seizures and coma. See immediate medical help if you suspect serotonin syndrome.
