How do antidepressants work

Antidepressants

Since the depression has become very frequent disorder in this modern world, the usage of antidepressants has become widespread. However, here we will discuss about the effects of antidepressants and the possibility of addiction. Antidepressants are actually drugs that are used in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. These medications function by changing the chemistry in our brain and reducing or increasing certain neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood disorders. A lot of people use these medications, but very few of them know how they really work to help them.

How do Antidepressants Work?

In our brain there are nerve cells called neurons and they are not directly connected, instead they have small space between them called synapse. Through these synapses information is transferred with the help of neurotransmitters. When one neuron releases neurotransmitter in the synaptic space, it actually sends a message. Then neurotransmitter stays in the synaptic space until the other neuron accepts it. When described like this, it may seem like this process lasts long, but on the contrary, it is extremely fast. After this, that specific neurotransmitter is sent back to the nerve cell that released it in the first place or it is decomposed by chemicals. Neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood disorders are serotonin, dopamine, and norephinephrine. When a person is depressive, the production of neurotransmitters is enhanced and antidepressants help in lowering their level in the brain.

How do Antidepressants Work in the Brain?

Not all antidepressants work in the same way. We distinguish various types of these medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, serotonin-norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs and monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. They all have different effect on the brain functioning, but they all can help in mood disorders. Their final effect is to keep the amount of neurotransmitters on the wanted level.

How Long Before Antidepressants Work?

Suffererswho use antidepressants are usually at first not satisfied with the results, because they don’t feel any difference. The wrong thing to do is to stop taking them because the usual period necessary for antidepressants to have effect is several weeks. It is also important to use them as the doctor recommended it, so that they can have desirable results. You should also avoid taking alcohol when you are using antidepressants. There are certain side effects associated with the usage of antidepressants and these unwanted effects differ from one medicine to another.