Catecholamines play an important role in your mental health. They are substances composed of small molecules that act as both a hormone and neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that mediate communication between neurons across...
Neurotransmitters allow communication between neurons, and several types of neurotransmitters must be present in the nervous system for optimal mental and physical health. Neurotransmitter production decline naturally with age and in the case of...
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that produces dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that are associated with mental health disorders. An L-tyrosine deficiency is associated with various mental health disorders in women. Increasing dietary...
Depression is a common, global disorder, yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most people with depression are not getting the least acceptable type of possible treatment. Antidepressants, or medicines that treat depression,...
Cymbalta, also known by its generic name of duloxetine HCl, is an oral medication for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It belongs to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). SSNRIs...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter -- a chemical in your brain that affects various aspects of your mood and behavior. Specifically, dopamine influences the parts of your brain that control body movement, emotions and pleasure-seeking behavior,...
Phenylalanine is an amino acid, or building block of protein. It is considered essential because your body cannot manufacture it; therefore it is a dietary necessity. Your body converts phenylalanine to tyrosine, another amino acid needed to make...
Cymbalta, which is the brand name for the medication duloxetine, is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of depression. It can also be used to treat neuropathic or diabetic pain as well as anxiety. Like many psychiatric medications,...
Amino acids are organic substances that supply nitrogen to your body. Each amino acid has a unique role. Your body can use 20 different amino acids as building blocks to produce numerous proteins. Your body does not store amino acids, so you must...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 5 percent of adolescents experience major depressive disorder. Medication intervention is one option for treating teen depression, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has...
While consuming adequate levels of macronutrients -- protein, fat and carbohydrates -- each day is essential, ensuring that you don't overlook micronutrients -- vitamins and minerals -- is vital as well. One particularly important micronutrient...
Vitamins are vital for women to promote health and prevent disease. Vitamins play a role in growth and cell development and support the structure and function of connective tissue and bones; they also stimulate the immune system. High potency...
Cymbalta---known also by its generic name duloxetene---is an antidepressant classified as an SNRI, or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, or NAMI, Cymbalta is prescribed for major...
The American Psychiatric Association recommends a thorough diagnosis and treatment of depression with psychotherapy and medication. Antidepressants are the standard types of medication for depression because they normalize levels of chemical...
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by such symptoms as feeling sad, loss of pleasure, changes in sleep, low energy, changes in appetite, concentration difficulties and suicidal thoughts, according to the American Psychiatric Association....
If you find yourself suffering from depression, albeit mild or severe, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for you. While a variety of antidepressants exist, the medical experts at the Mayo Clinic state that most doctors prefer SSRIs...
Duloxetine, or the brand name Cymbalta, is a type of antidepressant called a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI, according to the "PDR Guide for Mental Health Professionals." Cymbalta is usually prescribed to treat depression,...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical that helps brain cells communicate with one another. Its specific function is to regulate attention, memory, pleasure, reward and motor functions. Dopamine levels that are too low can lead to mental...
The combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is recommended for depression treatment, according to a study in the May 18, 2000, issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine." Cymbalta, generic name duloxetine, and Elavil,...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders include obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and social phobia. Antidepressants are...
