Originally Posted by
Jessiwuzzle Lives
I thought anti-depressants were to help control the chemicals in your brain and stabilise them?
That's probably partly correct. The truth is that we don't know all that much about the neuropathology of depression, but the most widely-believed theory at the moment is that the symptoms of depression are caused by a deficiency in the amount of one or more of these neurotransmitters: serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine.
Neurons communicate with one another by producing neurotransmitters which electrochemically stimulate the other neuron/s. The body has mechanisms in place which then get rid of those neurotransmitters, because otherwise all your neurons would just be constantly stimulated and wouldn't be able to do their jobs. Some neurotransmitters are reabsorbed back into the neuron they came from. Others are broken down or deactivated by enzymes.
Most anti-depressants are believed to work by reducing the rate at which one or more of the three mentioned neurotransmitters are reabsorbed. That means that your brain cells are allowed to 'soak' in them for longer, which gives them a better chance of responding. MAOI's are different, they inhibit one of the enzymes which break down serotonin and noradrenaline.
But anti-depressants are not highly effective for a long time because the brain gets used to them, and it simply adjusts itself. That's why they can work really well for a while then stop working altogether. That's why therapy is so important, because it teaches you strategies to
naturally improve your mood.
For example, writing down three things you are truly grateful for has been shown to naturally increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. In a study involving over a thousand people, those who did that every day for 6 weeks had more optimism, fewer physical ailments, more progress on personal goals, more determination and enthusiasm, fewer negative mental states, more philanthropy, lower rates of cardiovascular disease, decreased blood pressure AND better sleep!
The point is, antidepressants give you the space you need to find all the natural ways that will eventually get you well and help you stay that way.