Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
A normally functioning brain is a giant messaging system that controls everything from your heartbeat, to walking, to your emotions. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons send and receive messages from the rest of your body, using brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
These brain chemicals—in varying amounts—are responsible for our emotional state. Depression happens when these chemical messages aren’t delivered correctly between brain cells, disrupting communication.
There are few categories of chemicals in the brain that are responsible for emotional change such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. If they are out of balance, depression can occur. Antidepressants improve the symptoms of depression by bringing these chemicals back into balance. Because different types of antidepressants are designed to work differently, side effects associated with each type of depression medication can vary. Common side effects are as follow :
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Problems with sexual health
- Dizziness
- Problems sleeping
- Drowsiness
- Weight changes
- Anxiety/agitation
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