biological treatments of abnormalities- SSRIs

Question 1

what does SSRI stand for?

Answer 1

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 2

what does SSRI treat

Answer 2

depression- prozac most widely used med for depression

Question 3

what is the rationale/aim of SSRI

Answer 3

low serotonin leads to depression, because they have an imbalance in other neurotransmitters
so SSRIs stabilise the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters

Question 4

what is the process/mode of action?

Answer 4

SSRIs reduce the pre-synaptic repute of serotonin, making more serotonin available to bind to recapture, which stabilises serotonin production and use.

Question 5

(effectiveness) cochrane review (moncrieff et al)

Answer 5

meta-analysis of 9 studies of effectiveness of anti-depressants. all used active placebo (treats something other than the condition. all used random allocation trials. over 700 participants. moderate effect size of mood of 0.39

Question 6

(appropraiteness)

Answer 6

there is a small risk of suicide and violent behaviour

Question 7

appropiateness

Answer 7

withdrawal can be nasty- dizziness, lethargy, nausia,headaches