Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) refer to medications used to treat depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, SSRIs are a popular form of antidepressants first marketed in the United States in 1987 with the drug fluoxetine....
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a group of medications used in the treatment of mood disorders. They work in the space between two nerve cells in the brain to block re-absorption of serotonin once it is released. This has...
In recent decades, science has made great strides in finding new types of medication for the treatment of clinical depression and other mood disorders. In particular, a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are...
Although all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) work in similar ways, each specific SSRI has its own unique pharmacological qualities and thus its own set of possible side effects. In addition to these variations, people...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a form of anxiety. The obsessions, categorized by the Mayo Clinic as "unreasonable thoughts and fears," lead the OCD sufferer to compulsively repeat behavior. Trying to repress the obsessions may make the condition...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), social anxiety is a type of mental disorder that makes a person unreasonably self-conscious in public. People with social anxiety have a strong fear of being judged by others or being...
The brain chemical that antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect is the exact brain chemical that LSD, PCP and other psychedelic drugs mimic in order to create their hallucinogenic effects. SSRIs...
Lexapro, the brand name of a prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI is used to treat depression and anxiety. Lexapro, like any SSRI medication, can cause serious withdrawal effects when discontinuing the medication too...
Antidepressants work by affecting three different molecules in the brain that play a role in mood regulation. These chemicals, or monoamines, are called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Each antidepressant medication is classified according...
Serotonin is a hormone secreted by blood platelets, the digestive tract and the pineal gland located in the brain. This chemical functions as a neurotransmitter that helps brain and other cells in the nervous system communicate with the body....
According to the Mayo Clinic, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the newest class of drugs used to treat depression (antidepressants). SSRIs block the reuptake (absorption) of serotonin in the brain which elevates mood. SSRIs are...
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,...
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...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter created in the brain that impacts multiple body functions. Cardiovascular, renal, immune and gastrointestinal processes are all influenced by serotonin production. In addition, any imbalance in serotonin affects the...
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...
Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B-9, is a water-soluble B vitamin, meaning that the body will not store it. Therefore sources must come from the diet or from supplements. Research demonstrates a positive relationship between folic acid...
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors often cause changes in your weight. If you have gained weight as a result of taking your SSRI and want to lose that weight, you may be considering Alli among your weight loss options. Learning about how Alli...
Sweating, nervousness, a racing heartbeat and fidgeting are common signs of anxiety that can be experienced in certain fearful situations such as taking a very important test or waiting to hear important news. MedlinePlus explains that anxiety...
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...
Some people who are depressed are wary of taking a medication to increase serotonin levels. Fortunately, many natural lifestyle choices are thought to perform a similar job. Better yet, most of these natural methods come with very few side...
Upon discontinuing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication like Prozac, you may experience a condition called SSRI discontinuation or withdrawal syndrome. SSRI withdrawal syndrome is usually characterized by a temporary return...
Zoloft, the trade name for sertraline hydrochloride, a popular selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant medication. Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of taking an SSRI. It's impossible to predict how your own...
Prozac and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications frequently cause withdrawal symptoms due to their short half-life. Prozac (fluoxetine) withdrawal symptoms may begin within eight hours of stopping the medication and can...
Made from seed extracts of the Griffonia simplicifolia tree, 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is commonly sold as a dietary supplement for mood regulation. While this supplement may be useful in treating depression and other disorders related to low...
Clonazepam, trade name, Klonopin, is a member of a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are appropriate for the short-term treatment of muscle spasms, anxiety and seizures. They are not good choices for the long-term management...
Depression is the extreme feeling of sadness that interferes with daily activities, physical functions and social interactions. Depression is a common illness, with more than 14.8 million Americans affected in any given year, according to...
According to the National Mental Health Association, depression and anxiety are common psychiatric conditions. Depression and anxiety may be associated with an imbalance in, or lack of, the chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the...
Serotonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland, the digestive tract and your blood platelets. In addition, serotonin assists the brain and other portions of the nervous system to communicate with your body. Medications called...
Juvenile depression is a mood disorder where the child has persistent sadness and loss of interest and feels discouraged. Medication is prescribed when the symptoms of depression are severe and impact the child's ability to function normally.
Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition wherein the patient experiences chronic panic attacks. These panic attacks can be caused by stress and the fear of more panic attacks. Learn more about panic disorder including treatments and symptoms in...
