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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
What is the most important information I should know about antidepressants?Different antidepressants have different potential side effects, both when taking the drug and stopping it, and these effects can range from mild to severe.If you experience serious side effects when taking or stopping an antidepressant, such as seizures or irregular heartbeat, seek immediate medical attention. Different types of antidepressants may be used to treat mental health conditions. There are five major types of antidepressants and several others that are less commonly used. The major types are: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Atypical antidepressants While some may be considered preferred options, the drug selection can vary based on your symptoms, treatment history, and co-existing psychological disorders. Keep reading to learn about each type of antidepressant, including how they work, their benefits and uses, and their potential side effects and risks. How Antidepressants Work There are three basic molecules, known chemically as monoamines, believed to be involved in mood regulation. These primarily serve as neurotransmitters, which transmit nerve signals to their corresponding receptors in the brain. Antidepressants work by influencing neurotransmitters such as: Dopamine: Plays a central role in decision-making, motivation, arousal, and the signaling of pleasure and rewardNorepinephrine: Influences alertness and motor function, and helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate in response to stressSerotonin: Regulates mood, appetite, sleep, memory, social behavior, and sexual desire In people with depression, the availability of these neurotransmitters in the brain is characteristically low. Antidepressants increase the availability of one or several of these neurotransmitters in different, distinctive ways. How Antidepressants are Categorized As the name implies, an antidepressant is a drug primarily used to treat depression. Depression is a common disorder that affects brain chemistry and function. Antidepressants can help correct the dysfunction by altering
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