Dorothy FarrarAntidepressants
An antidepressant or antidepressant are psychotropic drugs that are mainly used in depressive disorders (depression), but also in anxiety disorders, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive neuroses, pain, withdrawal symptoms or sleep disorders.
How do antidepressants work?
Why it comes to depressive illnesses, is not yet one hundred percent scientifically proven. But there are different theses on this. One says, for example, that during depression, brain metabolism is disturbed.
When serotonin, norepinephrine and other messenger substances are not in balance, the emotional sensation and also the thought structure changes. Therefore, many antidepressants intervene at this point and change the brain metabolism.
As a result, the messenger substances can be available longer in the nerve cells. The antidepressants have different effects and consequently also different side effects. A rough division of antidepressants is that into the groups of classical and modern.
Classic antidepressants
The classic antidepressants have been on the market for some time and intervene in several messenger substance systems. Although they are not so well tolerated, they are very effective. Therefore, nowadays they are basically only used for severe depression.
Tricyclic antidepressants (tricyclics)
This group includes tricyclic antidepressants. They are prescribed to patients with chronic pain, obsessive-compulsive syndromes, panic attacks, bulimia and anxiety disorders.
These tricyclics block the reuptake of serotonin and dopamine into their stores. They have a mood-lifting, relaxing and drive-enhancing effect. The effect occurs after two to six weeks of use. Dry mouth, constipation and weight gain are the typical side effects here.
Tetracyclic antidepressants
Another group is the tetracyclic antidepressants. Overall, these are somewhat weaker in effect and better tolerated. They affect norepinephrine levels in the brain and promote drive.
As a rule, older people who suffer from lack of drive are very often administered because they hardly burden the circulation.
In addition, they can have an anxiolytic and calming effect and an improvement in mood occurs after about two weeks. Due to the calming effect, these antidepressants can also help you fall asleep.
MAO inhibitors (mono-amino-oxikdas inhibitors)
The last group of classic antidepressants are the MAO inhibitors (mono-amino-oxikdas inhibitors). Naturally, the two enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B break down norepinephrine and serotonin in the body. However, if these enzymes are inhibited by antidepressants, the proportion of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain increases.
These antidepressants can be used, among other things, when others have not previously shown any effect. However, they are not so well tolerated, because the degradation of other messenger substances is also inhibited and it can, for example, lead to increased blood pressure.
Patients should also follow certain dietary requirements to prevent health disorders. For example, ripe cheese, grapes and red wine should be avoided. Side effects may also include: nausea and headache.
Modern antidepressants
Antidepressants (SSRIs) and (SNRIs)
Modern antidepressants include SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors). The first group prevents the messenger substance serotonin from being reabsorbed into its stores.
These antidepressants are prescribed for mild to moderate depression. They have a mood-lifting, activating and anxiolytic effect and are well tolerated. The second group blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine by the nerve cells. They are also prescribed for mild to moderate depression and increase drive.
Antidepressants (SSNRI)
Another form of antidepressants is SSNRI. These are selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Here, the effect is also mood-enhancing and drive-enhancing.
Atypical antidepressants
And last but not least, there are the atypical antidepressants, which do not inhibit the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine, but increase it. In addition to the mood-enhancing, calming and anxiolytic effects, these drugs increase libido.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.