How antidepressants work. PART 2

Here goes the second part of the material. This one is about neurotransmitters’s and receptors’ work.”3. What happens when a message is passed from one cell to another.1. A brain cell decides to send a message to another cell in order to make something happen e.g. tighten a muscle, release a hormone, think about something, pass on a message etc.2. An electrical impulse is sent from the brain cell down one of the nerve fibres/…

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How antidepressants work. PART 1

Today I searched for some clear explanation on how SSRI antidepressants work, that will not resemble an encyclopedic article with dozens of medical terms on top of each other.And I’ve found it. Call it love from the first sight if you wish but the article I am quoting below is amazingly clear and simple for understanding. I am dividing it into 3 parts + several separate posts about each type of antidepressants. First part explains how our brain works. Second part gives a …

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How antidepressants work. PART 3

Here is the last part of the material about Antidepressants and it is actually about them. After 2 long and sweet parts of a preface here is the last one which describes depression build-up process.”5. DepressionPeople with depression usually have problems with poor sleep, low mood and appetite, loss of energy and interest or pleasure etc. It is a …

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How MAOI Antidepressants work

Now let us look carefully at different types of antidepressants. But before doing this, I’d strongly recommens you to read the preface (Parts 1, 2, 3) before you continue to specific types of medicines.Mono-Amine Oxidase InhibitorsAs we understood from the preface,”There are many chemical messengers (or “neurotransmitters”) called “monoamines” which occur naturally in the body. One of the effects that monoamines have is on mood. If the levels of monoamines in the body are high we may feel ‘high’, and if they are low we may feel ‘low’. MAOIs stop the breakdown of these monoamines. …

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How SSRI antidepressants work

We continue listing different types of antidepressants. If you missed the preface, I’d strongly recommend you to read it here: PART 1, 2, 3SPECIFIC SEROTONIN RE-UPTAKE INHIBITORS”What are the SSRI’s used for ?SSRIs are antidepressants which are used to help to improve mood in people who are feeling low or depressed. Fluoxetine (“Prozac”) may also be used to…

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How tricyclic antidepressants work

If you haven’t read a preface, I’d strongly recommend you to look through it: Part 1, 2, 3.THE TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTSWhat are the tricyclics used for ?Tricyclic antidepressants are used to improve mood in people who are feeling low or depressed. The tricyclics may also be used to help the symptoms of anxiety and a number of other symptoms. The tricyclics are the most commonly prescribed …

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