How do antidepressants help mental abuse?

Antidepressants describe a range of drugs that increase the availability of certain chemicals in the brain. These drugs relieve the symptoms of mental abuse, specifically depression, by lifting mood and improving concentration, sleep, and appetite.

Antidepressants are grouped by how they affect brain chemistry. Common antidepressants fall into the categories of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs).

All antidepressants have side effects that can range from jitteriness, dizziness, headache, decreased sex drive, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Other side effects are more severe, including an increased risk of suicide, seizure, hallucinations, and deadly food interactions. Be sure to discuss side effects with your doctor. Antidepressants must be taken for several weeks before symptoms of depression begin to be relieved.