Depression and Antidepressants Overview

Reacting to a stressful event, leading to sadness and hopelessness. Examples include loss of a loved one, divorce, financial issues, or chronic illness.

A significant mood disorder where sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest persist independently of any specific events. It can be influenced by genetics or physiological factors.

A diagnostic tool used by mental health professionals to identify and categorize mental health disorders, including depression.

A type of depression characterized by a persistent low mood, usually lasting for at least two years. It's less severe than major depression, but can significantly impact daily life.

Depression characterized by specific symptoms, such as increased appetite and sleep, weight gain, and hypersensitivity to rejection.

A mental health condition cycling between depressive episodes and periods of mania.

Depression that occurs seasonally, often during the winter months, when there's less daylight. It can include symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, and change in appetite.

The hypothesis that depression is linked to a deficiency in neurotrophic factors, chemicals that support the growth and survival of brain cells.

Antidepressants that work by blocking serotonin reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, increasing serotonin levels available at the synapse.

Medications that primarily increase serotonin levels in the brain to treat depression. They are typically well-tolerated and safer in overdose compared to older antidepressants.

This type of antidepressant inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, leading to increased levels of both neurotransmitters at the synapse.

A potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonin levels in the body. Symptoms include muscle rigidity, fever, confusion, and autonomic instability.

Antidepressants that work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, increasing norepinephrine levels at the synapse.

A group of medications that primarily increase both serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the brain to treat depression. They have a wider range of side effects compared to SSRIs.

Symptoms that can occur when abruptly stopping SSRIs. These include flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, sensory disturbances, and a feeling of anxiety or agitation.

Antidepressants that work by inhibiting the action of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) enzymes, which break down neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The process by which a drug is broken down in the body, often by enzymes.

A class of antidepressants that block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing serotonin levels at the synapse. They are often the 'first choice' for treating depression.

A group of enzymes that play a role in drug metabolism. Some SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and paroxetine, can inhibit these enzymes, potentially affecting the metabolism of other medications.

SSRIs are often used to treat anxiety disorders, including OCD, PTSD, and GAD. They are also used off-label for other conditions.

A type of side effect affecting the movement system, possibly caused by changes in neurotransmitter levels. Symptoms can include tremors, rigidity, and difficulty moving.

Common side effects of SSRIs include nervous or anxious feelings, insomnia, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and sexual dysfunction.

The impact of SSRIs on neurotransmitter levels can lead to side effects like nervous or anxious feelings, insomnia, sedation, digestive issues, and sexual dysfunction.

A condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, which can occur as a side effect of certain medications including SSRIs.

A group of drugs that inhibit the action of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO), an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. By inhibiting MAO, these drugs increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the synapse.

A type of antidepressant that selectively inhibits MAO-A, an enzyme involved in breaking down serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It is considered moderately effective for depression and has fewer side effects than older MAOIs, but it's not effective for OCD and has dietary restrictions.

Hypertensive crisis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by high blood pressure. With MAOIs, it can occur due to the interaction of the drug with certain foods or other medications containing tyramine, a substance that stimulates the release of norepinephrine.

Foods like aged cheeses, fermented meats, smoked fish, and some alcohols contain high amounts of tyramine that can interact with MAOIs to potentially trigger a hypertensive crisis.

These drugs are generally safer and better tolerated than older MAOIs and do not cause severe dietary or drug interactions (unless taken at high doses). However, they may not be as effective as other treatments for resistant depression.

These potent H1 antagonists are used to treat depression with insomnia due to their sedative effects.

Bupropion acts as a non-selective inhibitor of dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, increasing their levels in the synapse. It's also used for smoking cessation.

These drugs have anticholinergic side effects and are generally well-tolerated, but can rarely cause seizures. Amoxapine can also cause a Parkinsonian syndrome.

Phenelzine and tranylcypromine are irreversible inhibitors of both MAO-A and MAO-B, requiring dietary restrictions to avoid dangerous interactions. Selegiline is a selective irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B.

MAOIs were the first antidepressants discovered, and they work by preventing the intracellular destruction of monoamines by MAO, increasing their synaptic availability.

Blocking histamine H1 receptors can lead to drowsiness and sedation, often experienced as a side effect of some medications.

Blocking acetylcholine M1 receptors in the brain can cause dry mouth, confusion, memory issues, and blurry vision.

Blocking alpha 1 receptors can cause a drop in blood pressure when standing up, leading to dizziness and lightheadedness.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) block serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, increasing their availability at the synapse. This can lead to various side effects, including sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, constipation, and urinary retention.

TCAs can cause serious and life-threatening side effects like postural hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmias, sexual dysfunction, raised intraocular pressure, and lower seizure threshold.

Venlafaxine, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and at high doses, dopamine.

Venlafaxine has a wider therapeutic index than TCAs, meaning it's generally safer and has fewer side effects. However, it can still cause some common side effects like gastrointestinal issues, central nervous system effects, and sexual dysfunction.

Tetracyclics and unicyclics, like mirtazapine, mianserin, bupropione, maprotiline, amoxapine, vilazodone, and quetiapine, work by inhibiting both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. They also enhance the release of these neurotransmitters by blocking presynaptic alpha 2 and 5HT-1 autoreceptors.