Today, I will talk about how SSRIs work. SSRIs, otherwise known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are antidepressant medication which work by increasing the serotonin levels in the synapses between neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). So here, we have a picture of neurons:
The neuron before the synapse (the space between the neurons) is the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron after the synapse is the postsynaptic neuron. So neurons communicate with each other via the synapse. So what happens is that serotonin is located in vesicles located in the presynaptic neuron. And serotonin is then released into the synapse. The serotonin then travels across the synapse, which is unloaded from the vesicles from the presynaptic neuron, and the serotonin binds to the postsynaptic receptors, and this in turn continues the signal to the neuron postsynaptically.
After serotonin is released into the synapse, it is recycled and reabsorbed back into the presynaptic neuron via the serotonin reuptake pump located on the presynaptic neuron. So that is how serotonin is released into the synapse, binds to the postsynaptic receptors, and is reabsorbed and recycled presynaptically via the serotonin reuptake pumps. This thereby completes the communication between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron.
So when you swallow an SSRI, it goes into the bloodstream, then it travels to the brain, and it travels to the synapse. So the SSRI lodges itself into the serotonin reuptake pump, and hence blocks the reabsorption of serotonin to the presynaptic neuron. So when an SSRI blocks the reuptake of serotonin, there is an accumulation of serotonin in the synapse, thereby increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synapse, thereby increasing the binding of serotonin to the postsynaptic serotonin receptors, thereby increasing the signal postsynaptically.
So this is how serotonin is increased in the synapse when you ingest an SSRI. So this is how SSRIs treat depression and anxiety by this mechanism, where you have an increase in serotonin for serotonin-deficiency states as seen in depression and anxiety.
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Hello:
I am a nursing instructor at a community college. I teach mental health and one of the course activities included learning the process of serotonin. I would like to use the image re serontin blocking mechanism to demonstrate via student poster how this process works.
Yes, you have permission to use the image, as long as you attribute the image to AnxietyBoss.com. Please place the following sentence under the reproduced image: “Image reproduced with permission from AnxietyBoss.com”
I’m just trying to find out if you still do the Q&As, and if so where I could possibly submit one?
Yes, I’m still answering anxiety questions at the AnxietyBoss anxiety forums. You can submit your anxiety questions there.
I’m in a weird situation right now. My diagnosis is social anxiety (situational). I had it since childhood. Paxil worked excellent for me. Side effects: only delayed orgasm and some insomnia. I stupidly quit Paxil just to see how I’d cope. I couldn’t deal with the WD syndrome tho (wrong timing). I tried Prozac after but it caused me severe sexual dysfunction. I then went on several other meds. One was Brintellix. This one worked but I felt it had a different effect on my anxiety compared to all other meds i took ,and it gave me a terrible thing called anhedonia (loss of pleasure). This did not go away. I went back on Paxil. but to my shock, it worsened the anhedonia and I felt apathy this second time around. I’m on Pristiq right now and the same thing but less apathy. I don’t know what the hell happened to me???? I’m so stupid for quitting Paxil the first time. Now, how can I go back to how I was before the damn Brintellix?
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. You may be experiencing more severe symptoms of anxiety, or you may be developing another concurrent disorder, such as depression. If you are not already seeing a psychiatrist, I would suggest you get your doctor to refer you to one. And if you are currently seeing a psychiatrist, then I would recommend that you get a second-opinion from another psychiatrist. Brintellix is pretty much worthless, as there are so many cheaper alternatives out there, as most of the antidepressants for anxiety and depression are generic. If you don’t have success with prescription medications, you might consider a natural anxiety supplement, such as KalmPro.
I searched the internet. I have EVERY sign of low dopamine. Is a dopamine med the answer now? God I don’t want to live any longer. P.S I should clarify I don’t have depression. I’m an optimistic striving person all my life. but since trying Brintellix, everything changed to the worse.
Please see your doctor immediately.