Antispressants And Tricyclic Antidepressants

Depression has plagued humans for as long as they’ve lived. From Cleopatra to the beloved Robin Williams, depression has taken its toll on the lives of thousands throughout the years. Although it has been around as long as people themselves, a medicine to help treat depression has only recently been discovered. With a little help from advancing technology, antidepressants have become increasingly helpful in treating the symptoms of depression. Antidepressant medications are an effective way to combat depression and are worth the risk of their side effects. Commonly described as an imbalance of hormones in the body, depression is a serious affliction. Typically, the chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are the neurotransmitters …show more content…
Often holding severe side effects, these antidepressants are used on patients who have experienced a resistance to other medications, or have been diagnosed with general anxiety in addition to depression. Tricyclic antidepressants work similarly to the reuptake inhibitors by blocking reabsorption of serotonin into nerve cells, though can have harsh side effects, including issues surrounding heart rhythms and . On the other hand, MAOIs consist of an enzyme which breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, giving them a boost. The enzymes often affect other medications, certain foods such as meats and cheeses, and greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure (Mayo Clinic Staff). MAOIs can require a strict diet to avoid a buildup of serotonin leading to a condition known as Serotonin …show more content…
Suicide and self-harm can be a serious result of depression, and any medication that can increase the risk of suicide rather than treat the symptoms of depression should not be used. “Nine Australian psychiatrists reported that patients had slashed themselves or become preoccupied with violence while taking SSRIs,” (Exposing the Dangers 19). Taking too little of the drug can cause self-harming thoughts and actions, as well as be ineffectual in treating the other symptoms. Furthermore, an overdose on SSRIs can create an abundance of serotonin in the body, resulting in the condition Serotonin Syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Despite these facts, antidepressants have had substantial improvements in both composition and listing warnings since their testing days. The FDA now requires black-box warnings on all antidepressants to warn patients of the possibility of an increased risk of suicide, while SSRI medications have edited their formulas to have minimal side