What is the rationale for prescribing anti-depressants for various types of anxiety disorders as well as for depression? To date, all I have been able to determine is that, due to an increased concern about the tolerance to sedatives, anti-depressants are now more likely to be prescribed. But why, in particular, were anti-depressants chosen as a substitute for anxiety disorders?
Any assistance here would be much appreciated. Joan Joan Warmbold Boggs Professor of Psychology Oakton Community College [email protected] Michael Britt wrote: >> I recently received a couple questions about the effect of SSRIs on >> depression and I'm not quite sure of the answer. Would anyone care to edify us on these questions? David Epstein added: > My shortest, easiest answer--forgive me for doing it without giving > cites--is that you can't think in global terms about there being "too > much serotonin" or "too little serotonin." Serotonin is released > along distinct pathways within the brain onto specific target regions, > and it does different things in different regions. > > This is partly explained by (and partly just complicated by) the fact > that there are at least 14 different subtypes of receptor for > serotonin. The receptors aren't like the serotonin transporter that > SSRIs block. They don't "absorb" serotonin; they're activated by it, > the way a key on your computer keyboard is activated by your finger > (without absorbing your finger!). edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=21909 or send a blank email to leave-21909-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
