In recent decades, several studies have shown that there are a number of effective drugs to increase the effect of different interventions, reducing the intensity or frequency of certain symptoms, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRS), mainly used in the treatment of depression.
I’m sure you’ve heard of him. These medicines are called citalopram, scitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, etc. Does any of them sound familiar?
- The selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor is a label that encompasses a range of drugs with a common goal.
- They are generally used as antidepressants in the treatment of depressive states.
- Anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders.
SSRDs aren’t the only antidepressants out there. Antidepressant drugs were introduced for clinical use in psychiatry starting in 1957. In the following decade, most antidepressants called tricyclics (ADTs) developed. At the same time, monoxidase inhibitors (MAOI) have also begun to be used.
Tricyclic antidepressants achieved remission or improvement of depressive symptoms in more than 65% of cases, however, their side effects are significant. This is a disadvantage compared to other antidepressants.
Antidepressants, unlike stimulants (amphetamines, methylphenidate?), only improve mood in previously depressed people and do not elevate mood in subjects without depression.
The main types of antidepressants currently in use are
In this article, we will focus on selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRS), but first let’s look at what Serotonin is.
Serotonin is a chemical produced by the human body, which transmits signals between nerves and functions as a neurotransmitter. Some researchers consider it the chemical responsible for balancing our mood, so Serotonin deficiency would lead to depression.
Serotonin has a modulating and general behavioral inhibitor effect. This neurotransmitter affects most brain functions. Serotonin can be said to be the ‘pleasure hormone’, in addition to being ‘the mood hormone’.
Serotonin function is fundamentally inhibitory. It influences sleep and is also related to mood, emotions and depressive states, affects vascular functioning as well as the frequency of heartbeats.
There is a close relationship between depression and Serotonin; However, scientists do not yet know whether reducing Serotonin levels contributes to depression or, on the contrary, whether depression leads to a reduction in Serotonin levels.
SSRSs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of Serotonin, so Serotonin levels between neurons increase, in the intersynaptic space, leading to a regulation of 5HT1A receptors. After reducing the number of 5HT1A receptors, the neuron is “inhibited” to release more Serotonin into the synaptic space.
This increase in Serotonin levels in the intersynaptic space (synaptic cleft) can improve a person’s mood. In addition, SSRSs are called “selective” because they primarily affect Serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
All selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors work the same way. As with all medications, there are some common side effects, which doesn’t mean they necessarily have to appear during treatment.
In fact, some of the side effects may go away after the first few weeks of treatment, while others may cause your doctor to change treatment. If you cannot tolerate one SSRS, you can tolerate another, as its chemical composition varies.
Since everything that shines is not gold, the possible side effects of SSRDs can include, among other things:
As we have seen, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are specially developed drugs for depression, however, they may have other indications (long-term treatment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder).
These medications are not without side effects, even if they are lower than on other antidepressants, such as MAD or ADT. If you think you need medication, you should see a doctor first. Keep in mind that self-medication can be very dangerous. .