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What Are the Effects of Antidepressant Medication? Antidepressant medications are taken daily to treat depression symptoms. The effects could vary from person-to-person and be uncomfortable at times. Some medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly particularly the older generation antidepressants (SSRIs TCAs, SNRIs and MAOIs). To ensure that the medication is effective for you, it's crucial to follow the directions on the label. Serotonin Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain that assists to regulate mood and emotions as well as bodily functions like appetite, energy levels and sleep. It also plays a role in a myriad of physiological and psychological processes, including the perception of pain, blood pressure and the movement of the smooth muscles of the intestine as well as glandular. Antidepressants boost the amount of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) within the brain and body. They are prescribed for depression as well as other mental illnesses. Several groups of antidepressant medications affect the brain's serotonin system including selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters (SSRIs) and SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs). These medications can trigger adverse reactions, which could include fatigue or drowsiness, headache, sexual problems and an increase in heart rate. Many people have low levels of serotonin in their brain, which is thought to contribute to depression. Scientists aren't certain what causes this, but they do believe that an imbalance of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) could affect the way our bodies deal with stress and depression. SSRIs are the most popular antidepressants. They increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by preventing the reuptake process, in which neurotransmitters are absorbed, deactivated or recycled to be used again. This allows for more serotonin receptors to reach the brain, which improves mood and reduces anxiety. SSRIs are used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Other medications, such as the triptan family of headache drugs, opioid pain relievers and dextromethorphan-containing cough suppressants, can also increase your serotonin levels. This can lead to a rare but potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. Therefore, it's important to inform your doctor about any medications you're taking as well as any herbal supplements or supplements you're using before starting a new one. A high level of serotonin can cause a variety of symptoms, such as involuntary muscle spasms and nausea, vomiting, agitation, or confusion. Serotonin syndrome requires emergency treatment and usually involves stopping the medication you're taking, as well as a combination of supportive care including fluids, pain relief and benzodiazepines to treat agitation. Dopamine Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is involved in the control and regulation of movement. It also functions as a neurotransmitter that transmits messages from one brain cell to another. Neurotransmitters, a kind of chemical used to communicate signals inside your body, may affect your mood and cognition. Antidepressants can help reduce depression and anxiety for up to 70% of people who use them. They help by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Certain neurotransmitters manage pain signals, while others are linked to emotions or mood. Antidepressants are often used in conjunction with therapy for talk to combat more serious depression and anxiety conditions. While antidepressants are highly efficient in reducing the symptoms of depression, they do not tackle all aspects of the disorder and some sufferers are still experiencing depression after taking them for a long period of time. Some patients may require additional treatments, like counseling and lifestyle changes. Antidepressants can be improved by combining with other treatments such as exercise or good nutrition. The results of a recent systematic literature review and meta-analysis suggest that dopamine-related drugs are effective in treating depression. These include stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, modafinil), dopamine antagonists (pamelor and pramipexole) as well as selective MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline) and levodopa. This suggests that a range of dopamine-related drugs may be beneficial in treating depression, especially in older people. Lithium and Valproate are mood stabilizers and are also effective in the treatment of depression. They can be prescribed as monotherapy or as augmentation therapy. Additionally the effectiveness of dopamine-stimulating agents that are not registered in the treatment of depression has been demonstrated in numerous RCTs. This includes aripiprazole and ropinirole and bromocriptine. Electroconvulsive Therapy as well as the selective MAO B-inhibitor tranylcypromine also have dopamine-stimulating qualities. Antidepressants can take several weeks to become fully effective. In this time you might observe a improvement in your sleep and greater energy. You should not stop taking your medication unless are advised to do so by your physician. Talk to www.iampsychiatry.com if you are having an intense episode of depression. Norepinephrine Norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter and hormone (also known by the name noradrenaline) is released by nerve cells in response danger and stress. It can trigger the fight or flight response by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, constricting blood vessels and release energy from glucose stores in muscle cells. Norepinephrine is also involved in the regulation of concentration and attention. The majority of psychostimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the central nervous system. Norepinephrine plays a major role in regulating your body's response to stressful situations. It functions by binding to the a- and b-adrenergic receptors, or adrenoceptors, found throughout your body. It stimulates receptors in various ways, including pupil dilation blood vessels constriction as well as an increase in heart rate and metabolism. Experts don't know exactly the causes of depression, but we believe that it is caused by an imbalance of certain chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in your brain. Antidepressant medication helps restore the balance of these chemicals and improves your mood. There are a variety of antidepressants, and locating the right one can take some time. Consult your physician if you don't feel better after taking one type. The majority of antidepressants require four to eight weeks to take effect however, some start to help in just a few days. Some antidepressants are available in liquid form, whereas others come as pills. Others can be applied topically or by mouth. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medication including alcohol, herbal supplements as well as over-the counter cold or allergy drugs or herbal supplements. Some people suffer from side effects caused by antidepressants, such as nausea, fatigue and dizziness. If you're having thoughts of suicide while taking an antidepressant seek immediate help. Call the suicide hotline, or your doctor for assistance. GABA GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits anxiety. It is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system (CNS) which blocks certain brain signals and decreasing nervous system activity. It works with other neurotransmitters, including serotonin to regulate mood and decrease anxiety. It is also crucial for the function of both the gastrointestinal system and the immune system. People with autoimmune conditions and diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) could have low GABA levels. This could play a role in their symptoms and may be an important treatment option. Stress has a greater impact on the GABA system than other neurotransmitters. The imbalance that results can cause depression. There are a variety of natural methods to raise your GABA levels. You can take oral GABA supplements in addition to your usual eating habits. These supplements are available in different forms, and a lot of users claim they experience calming effects. Further research is needed to verify these claims. GABA can be produced by many bacteria in the intestine and can pass through the blood brain barrier and act as a neurotransmitter. It has been proven that it can improve the symptoms of stress in animals and humans. In one study, researchers administered 100 milligrams GABA to an audience of participants prior to when they faced a challenging mental task. They discovered that the participants had a much faster return to their baseline levels than those who didn't take GABA. Additionally, the heart rate variability of the participants was lower when they used GABA. In clinical trials, antidepressants targeting GABA receptors have been shown to be effective at treating depression. There are benzodiazepines and so is a new class called GABA-A positive ALLosteric Moderators (GASPAMAs) which is a brand new antidepressant drug. The new class includes zuranolone, which acts on nasal chemosensory receptors. It also includes PH10, a drug that targets prefrontal cortex and hippocampus receptors. These drugs have been shown to be effective against MDD and PPD. GABA is not for everyone. It should only be taken with the supervision of a medical professional. Women who are pregnant and those who have a history of seizures should stay away from this medication.