What is the connection between serotonin and depression?
The relationship between serotonin and depression is complex. With the simplest explanation, the low level of this neurotransmitter, which circulates through the intestines and the central nervous system, directly to the depressive mood and the conditions of anxiety. This explanation is omitted by the fact that there are several other identifiable neurotransmitters that affect mood chemistry such as Norepinephrin and Gaba. In some cases, low levels of serotonin do not mainly cause depression and may result from other exhausted neurotransmitters or factors that science has not yet identified.
The simple story of serotonin and depression is a useful metaphor in explaining medical laymen the relationship between them, especially if the drug is defended for treatment. It is true that many people may have a depression end if they are taking drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS). These prevents receptors from brain gadgets: in other words, the free serotonin that circulatesthe brain and leaves less to keep the mood balanced. When SSRI prevents this activity, there is theoretically, more serotonin exists in the fight against depression or anxiety. People with this basic definition of the relationship between serotonin and depression may feel more comfortable to try SSRI and understand depression as medically induced.
Unfortunately, serotonin and depression are not always directly correlated. SSRI does not mention depression in all people with a condition. They may have to be replaced by drugs that affect various neurotransmitters such as selective inhibitors of reuing serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRI) or medicines such as atypical antipsychotics, which are increasingly defending for depression resistant to treatment. In particular, some clinic doctors do not like the term "resistant treatment," because it seems that the patient is adversely reflected. The condition seems to be resistant only if low serotonin is consideredThe unique possible cause of depression and most experts would not make this mistake.
Another important piece to understand serotonin and depression is that the balance is very important. Adding more serotonin to the body can lead to a fatal disease called serotonin syndrome. The amount should be slightly increased and people must be careful not to take more than one medicine that can increase serotonin levels to dangerous maximum.
There are some types of depression in a similar note that are unlikely to respond well to serotonin inhibition. Patients with bipolar or mood disorders may have intensively negative responses to SSRI. This happens most if they are mistakenly diagnosed with unipolar depression and treated as such. In the bipolar brain, extra free serotonin often leads to Maniinebo hypomania.
Recent discussion on the use of SSRI has led to concern that SSRIS can sometimes cause or precipitate bipolar disorder in people who this diseaseThey do not yet, but they can be vulnerable to it. This is all the more reason to understand the complexity and the gentle balance of neurotransmitters and how they can act in the brain. So far, full understanding of this relationship escapes even the most learned in psychiatric and neurological fields.