Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that's found throughout the body. If you have too little serotonin, it could lead to unwelcome changes such as mood disorders, depression or digestive upset. This imbalance is called serotonin...
Lexapro is an SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, that is approved by the FDA to treat major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. The generic form of Lexapro--escitalopram--is not approved by the FDA for sale in the U.S. as of...
SSRI's, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are medications indicated for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder,...
Generic Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a medication in a classification of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) drugs. According to Drugs.com, generic Paxil works by restoring the balance of serotonin, a natural...
Depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans aged 15 to 44, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It affects both mental and physical aspects of life, sometimes making it difficult to even rise in the morning. There...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness characterized by repeated thoughts or actions that interfere with normal life. It is classified in the psychiatric literature as an anxiety disorder, according to Emedicine.com. The most...
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry or abnormal reactions to stress. Major types of anxiety disorders include social phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic...
Escitalopram oxalate, commonly referred to and marketed as Lexapro, is primarily prescribed as an antidepressant. Lexapro is part of a family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). These drugs increase the levels of the...
Dr. Shabbir M.H. Alibhai and colleagues report in the March 15, 2005 issue of the "Canadian Medical Association Journal" that many prescription drugs older people take for chronic conditions contribute to unintentional weight loss. Obvious...
In 2004, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning stating that antidepressant drugs may cause increased risks of suicidal behavior, particularly in children and adolescents. Although most antidepressant medications take about two...
Depression is one of the most common mental health problems affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. According to the American Psychiatric Association, up to 25 percent of the population will suffer from a depressive disorder at some point...
Tryptophan is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein, but unlike some amino acids it is considered essential because the body cannot manufacture it. Tryptophan is a precursor to a number of neurotransmitters. In the body it is...
Yohimbe, also known as Pausinystalia yohimbe, is the source of yohimbine, an active ingredient in many herbal supplements marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, performance enhancement and stimulant effects, as well as a prescription drug,...
Dietary supplements and herbs provide alternative treatments to several disorders, and can complement conventional medical techniques. However, the active ingredients in some herbs can interact with specific pharmaceuticals, increasing or...
A variety of prescription antidepressant drugs are available to treat depression and anxiety disorders. While these drugs are highly effective in treating depression, they are often associated with side effects such as headaches, weight gain and...
Anxiety and stress can impact a person negatively and may cause mental health problems such as depression, generalized anxiety disorders and even suicidal tendencies. Prescription medication is often the first-line treatment for anxiety problems...
As the menstrual period approaches, some females experience emotional fluctuations and moody spells. The five to 11 days before a period starts are emotionally turbulent for about 75 percent of women in their childbearing years due to premenstrual...
Food allergy and sensitivity reactions can occur with different symptoms, and they can range from severe and life-threatening to mild or bothersome. A reaction to chocolate could actually be a reaction to dairy products, serotonin, soy, nuts or...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter molecule of the central nervous system. It is associated with muscle control and movement---deficiencies lead to Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's-like symptoms---as well as a variety of cognitive factors. In...
Sertraline is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that help combat depression by increasing brain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. A supplement called...
There are a number of drugs available to treat depression. Each drug has possible side effects and contraindications that need to be reviewed before a treatment plan is developed. Consulting a list of popular generic antidepressants can help...
Migraine headaches may last for a few hours or for days. For some people, migraines occur once or twice a year; others experience them as often as every day. The pineal gland produces melatonin from serotonin, which is derived from tryptophan,...
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant medication that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug class. According to Drugs.com, fluoxetine affects serotonin, a chemical in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression....
If you experience bad dreams or nightmares frequently, there are some herbal supplements that you will want to avoid. Nightmares are a universal experience and account for up to 70 percent of all dreams in adults. Herbs that increase anxiety and...
Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram oxalate. Escitalopram is an antidepressant, one of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs.) Other SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa,) fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly,)...
There are a number of mental health conditions that fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorders, report doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). Generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress and panic disorders, phobias,...
Depression is a disorder characterized by a chronic loss of interest in activities that you would usually enjoy and an inability to experience pleasure. Herbal and nutritional supplements may help to relieve your depression by altering levels of...
Depression is a serious disease that affects nearly 20 million people in the United States, reports the National Institutes of Health. With medication used to treat depression and talk therapy of some kind, most people can be treated to reduce the...
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 20 million people in the U.S. have some form of depressive disorder. Everyone experiences a down or depressed mood now and then, but true depression is a serious mental illness and involves...
