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February 3, 2012
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SSRIs and Depression

Medical Author:
Mary L Windle, PharmD
Medical Editor:
Cory Franklin, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Alan D Schmetzer, MD

SSRI Overview

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter. For many people, SSRIs are the first choice of depression treatment selected by health care providers.
 
SSRIs, which are medications available only by prescription, may be used to treat depression. If a person’s symptoms indicate that he or she has depression, a health care provider will strongly recommend treatment. Treatment may include supportive therapy, such as changes in lifestyle and behavior, psychotherapy, and complementary therapies, but it almost always includes medication. Without treatment, depression symptoms may become worse or last much longer, making recovery difficult. With treatment, the chances of recovery from depression are very high.

Commonly prescribed SSRIs include the following:

SSRIs are available as tablets, capsules, or oral solution.

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SSRIs and Depression

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) »

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Overview

According to the American Psychological Association, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is

    "an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, such as terrorist attacks, motor vehicle accidents, rape, physical and sexual abuse, and other crimes, or military combat."

PTSD is a problem in which your brain continues to react with nervousness after you have had a horrific trauma even though the original trauma is over. Our brains can react by staying in "overdrive" and being hyperalert to the next possible trauma. Sometimes you might continue to "remember" the trauma by having "flashbacks" about the event or nightmares even though the trauma is in the past. After a traumatic event, we can also become "numb...

Read the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Depression and Suicide »

Depression is a potentially life-threatening mood disorder that affects up to 12% of the population, or approximately 17.6 million Americans each year.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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