| How the SSRI works in the Brain | | | | - Agitation |
| The method with which SSRIs work is by preventing | | | | - Blood Pressure Fluctuations |
| the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. This means | | | | - Confusion |
| that the serotonin must remain active in the brain | | | | - Fever |
| synapse longer. The chemical serotonin is used to | | | | - Hallucinations |
| regulate things such as sleep and appetite, but the | | | | - Nausea |
| reason it is important in the treatment of depression | | | | - Restlessness |
| and other psychological disorders is because it also | | | | There are also more serious signs of serotonin |
| regulates mood. | | | | syndrome that can be caused by mixing an SSRI |
| Though it is not clear exactly how the SSRI aids in | | | | with another anti-depressant. Seizures, coma and |
| the symptoms of depression, it is clear that the | | | | possibly death can occur if serotonin syndrome is left |
| manipulation of serotonin levels in the brain somehow | | | | untreated. |
| remedy these symptoms in many people. | | | | SSRI Side Effects on the Brain |
| Serotonin Syndrome and SSRIs | | | | There are other concerns about how SSRIs may |
| The most dangerous side effect that can come from | | | | affect the brain. Once you have discontinued the use |
| taking an SSRI treatment is serotonin syndrome. This | | | | of the SSRI, the medication should leave the blood |
| is a potentially fatal illness that is brought about by | | | | stream within a few weeks. However, there have |
| extremely high levels of serotonin in the brain. | | | | been some patients who have noted long-term |
| Generally, serotonin syndrome is caused by the | | | | effects, some lasting several years, in which they |
| interaction of an SSRI and another medication. The | | | | feel the medication messing with their brain function. |
| most common negative interactions occur with | | | | There are some that say, while the medication |
| MAOIs and St. John's Wort. You should never | | | | leaves the blood stream in a few weeks, it can |
| combine an SSRI with either of these medications. | | | | remain in the brain for much longer periods of time. |
| Because of the seriousness of the threat of | | | | There are no current studies that prove this is the |
| serotonin syndrome, it seems appropriate to take a | | | | case, as it is all based upon anecdotal evidence and |
| moment to detail the symptoms of serotonin | | | | reports from patients. |
| syndrome. | | | | |