Antidepressants: What do antidepressants do?

^{From: Understanding psychiatric medications: Antidepressants - Information for consumers, families and friends (© 2009 CAMH)}

Antidepressant medications increase the activity of certain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, in the brain. Increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine seems to help lessen depression and anxiety. However, the brain is a very complex organ and the reasons why these drugs work are not yet fully understood.

We do know that these drugs help to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in up to 70 per cent of people who try them. This rate is even higher when people who don’t get relief with one type of antidepressant try a second type.

Contents

• Introduction
• Do I need treatment?
• What do antidepressants do?
• Side-effects
• Types of antidepressants
• Starting and stopping antidepressants
• Antidepressants, other drugs and driving
• Antidepressants, sexuality and pregnancy
• Is age an issue?
• Where can I get more information about antidepressants?
• How can I find treatment or a support group?

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